NATO: E5 Defense Ministers reaffirm their commitment to a stronger Europe ahead of the Ankara Summit

The Defense Ministers of France, Germany, Italy, Poland and the United Kingdom reaffirmed, Friday June 12, their desire to strengthen the European contribution to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), following a meeting of the European Group of Five (E5), according to a joint press release issued by the French authorities.

Gathered by videoconference less than a month before the NATO summit scheduled in Ankara on July 7 and 8, the five ministers adopted a common position in favor of “a stronger Europe, within a stronger NATO”, while emphasizing that “Russia constitutes the most serious and lasting threat to security and Euro-Atlantic stability”.

According to the press release, the participants agreed to assume “increased responsibility within the Alliance” in order to strengthen the European contribution to collective defense. They also estimated that the Ankara summit would represent “an opportunity for European allies to demonstrate their ambition to effectively implement a transfer of the burden”, in close coordination with the United States.

In a message published on the American social network She affirmed that “France and its European partners are acting resolutely to exercise increased responsibilities within NATO” in preparation for the Ankara summit.

The ministers indicated their intention to continue their consultations with all allies in order to strengthen collective security and prepare decisions that could be discussed at the Ankara summit.