Germany’s Friedrich Merz has openly admitted that Europe has been “free-riding” on the United States for its defence, urging European nations to take on greater responsibility for their own military capabilities. This candid admission came during his visit to London, where the focus was on strengthening defence ties between Germany and the United Kingdom.
Strengthening UK-Germany Defence Cooperation
Merz’s visit is part of efforts to reinforce cooperation under a historic friendship treaty signed between the two countries. The treaty aims to:
- Boost collaboration on security, defence, and political matters
- Reflect a shared commitment to face growing global threats
During high-level meetings with senior UK officials, discussions covered:
- Joint military exercises
- Intelligence sharing
- Strategic planning
- Expanding cooperation in research and development of defence technologies
European Defence and NATO Burden-Sharing
Merz emphasized that Europe’s dependence on US military support has been unsustainable, describing it as “free-riding.” As a result, he advocated for:
- Increased defence spending by European countries
- Greater contribution to collective security within NATO
- Enhancement of European military capabilities
This comes amid broader debates about burden-sharing within NATO and the need for Europe to play a more autonomous role in its own security.
The Future of European Security Cooperation
The defence partnership between Germany and the UK is intended to serve as a model for deeper European cooperation, with a focus on:
- Responding effectively to emerging security challenges like cyber threats, terrorism, and geopolitical risks
- Creating a more autonomous European security framework
- Maintaining strong transatlantic alliances with partners such as the US
By building stronger defence capabilities, Europe can ease the pressure on US forces and contribute more evenly to global and regional stability.
Merz’s statements have sparked wide discussions throughout Europe on future defence strategies and the evolving role of NATO in facing contemporary threats. The call for increased self-reliance alongside maintained cooperation continues to grow in urgency.
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