During the online press briefing before the meeting of foreign ministers of NATO countries in Turkish Antalya The American diplomat pointed out that the US does not intend to reduce the purpose of arms expenditure set by Donald Trump at 5 percent. GDP. He said, however, that for this amount there could be wider security expenses.
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“This new Haski Investment Plan will cover all the abilities necessary for NATO allies to deter and defense. But it also includes things such as mobility, necessary infrastructure, cyber security. It's definitely more than just rockets, tanks and howitzers” – said Whittaker.
“But at the same time it must be related to the defense. This is not a bag for everything you can imagine” – he added.
He also noted that this investment plan will be for Washington the most important theme of the upcoming NATO summit in Hague. At the same time, he warned EU countries not to exclude American companies in the defense investment process.
“While we are working on strengthening transatlantic cooperation in the field of industrial base, the defense industry's abilities must also include the honest treatment of American defense technology companies,” he noted. “The exclusion of companies from outside the EU from EU defense initiatives would undermine NATO interoperability, would slow down the disability of Europe, raise costs and suppress innovation” – he added.
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When asked if the United States intends to reduce the presence of their strength in Europe, the ambassador said that the US was constantly analyzing the distribution of their troops, but declared that “The United States does not leave Europe“.
Whittaker also denied the reports of “Der Spiegel” that President Trump may not come to the summit to Hagi if allies did not agree to an adequate increase in arms expenses. He noted that he expects the president to come to the Dutch capital in June.
