The European Commission does not give up the idea of independence from the US in the field of security. Reply given to the Secretary General of NATO
Ursula von der Leyen. PHOTO: Šulová Kateřina / ČTK / Profimedia
The European Commission (EC) reaffirmed on Tuesday its plans for the European Union to “gradually” gain its independence in various fields, such as energy, but also defense, in the face of the recent statements of the Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte, regarding the need to count on the United States, reports EFE, taken over by Agerpres.
“We are committed to ensuring that we become more resilient and independent on various fronts,” EC spokeswoman Paula Pinho said at the institution's daily press conference.
She recalled that the EU has already managed to reduce dependence on fossil fuel imports from Russia and stated that “this dependence is also observed in other areas, such as defense or critical raw materials”.
“We are committed, certainly, to doing whatever it takes to reduce this addiction, to reduce this exposure,” Pinho said.
A “gradual” independence
Thus, Paula Pinho recalled that the President of the EC, Ursula von der Leyen, announced that she would soon present a new security strategy, “especially the strategy for the Arctic which must also be considered in this context”.
“We are indeed bringing together a series of measures with an objective which is, under the motto of European independence, that of guaranteeing that we can all really, on the various fronts, ensure this gradual independence”, concluded the spokeswoman of the EC.
“Good luck!”. NATO chief ridicules idea of Europe born out of Trump's ambition to take over Greenland
These statements are an answer to a question regarding the statements made on Monday by the Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte, in a hearing in the European Parliament.
“If anyone here thinks, one more time, that the European Union or Europe as a whole can defend itself without the United States, let them keep dreaming. It's not possible. We can't,” said Mark Rutte.
The Secretary General of the North Atlantic Alliance argued in front of the members of the European Parliament that “we need each other” because, “first of all, the USA also needs NATO”.
