Dutch FM: Europe must quickly reduce reliance on U.S. military by 2030
The Netherlands and Europe need to rapidly decrease their dependence on the United States for their security, Minister Tom Berendsen of Foreign Affairs said in an international security strategy sent to parliament. By 2030, a plan must already be in motion in which Europe becomes largely responsible for the European continent. “We must scale up and take more responsibility for our security,” the Minister wrote, NOS reports.
Berendsen wants “strategic capabilities” on things like intelligence and defense against ballistic missiles to be increasingly built up within a European context.” Within the next four years, the European defense industry must be able to produce “fully fledged” versions of the most important conventional systems on its own.
According to Berendsen, this takeover of responsibilities and capabilities must happen “in close cooperation within the U.S” and while preventing any gaps from arising in security. “But we are going to take over capacity step by step.”
Berendsen also mentioned the previously announced possibility of the Netherlands cooperating with France on nuclear armament. Within the NATO alliance, France, the U.S., and the United Kingdom possess nuclear weapons.
According to the Minister, the Non-Proliferation Treaty, in which 190 countries pledged to prevent the further spread of nuclear weapons, forms the “legal framework” of this cooperation with France. But it is an important option for the Netherlands to explore. “A nuclear weapon-free world remains the ultimate goal, but as long as nuclear weapons exist, NATO will remain a nuclear alliance.”
