Defence minister open to long-term NATO spending target increase
On Wednesday, Belgian Defence minister Theo Francken said he was open to a long-term increase in NATO's spending target, even up to five per cent of GDP. However, he added that much will depend on what will be permitted to fall under broader security spending.
Belgium is currently falling short of NATO's spending target. It aims to finally reach the alliance's goal of spending 2 per cent of its GDP on defence this year. However, while Belgium is still catching up, NATO members will discuss raising the spending target even further at the summit in The Hague next month.
Under impulse of US president Donald Trump, NATO secretary-general Mark Rutte has suggested raising the the target to 5 per cent over the next seven years. To ensure that member states are able to reach this target, the definition of 'defence spending' will be broadened.
Foreign minister Maxime Prévot opposed the "excessive" target during a NATO meeting in Turkey last week. He said that a 2.5 per cent target by 2034 would be more realistic, given Belgium's precarious budgetary situation.
Broader security spending
But Defence minister Theo Francken seems more open to Rutte's proposal. While seven years is too short a timeframe, raising the target to 5 per cent over 10 years could be feasible, he said in the Chamber of Representatives on Wednesday.
This would depend on what NATO decides to accept as defence spending, the minister added. Rutte proposes dividing the target into 3.5 per cent for strictly defined defence spending and 1.5 per cent for broader security spending. What exactly falls under the second category is still under negotiation.
Francken also urged the government not to simply reject the proposal to raise the spending target. "The next question then is whether we plan to leave NATO," he said. The minister reiterated that NATO's presence provides significant benefits for Belgium, which hosts its headquarters and is one of its founding members.
PHOTO © JOHN THYS / AFP
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