German chancellor calls NATO 'most successful' international security alliance

By Erbil Basay

BERLIN (AA) – German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday described NATO as the "most successful" security alliance in history and on the global stage.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Washington summit, Scholz said the event, which marks NATO's 75th anniversary, comes at a "very special" time.

Noting that Europe is facing Russia's war against Ukraine, which threatens the peace and security order, Scholz emphasized that NATO has been a "successful peace and security" alliance for 75 years.

He vowed that Germany will spend 2% of its gross domestic product (GDP) on defense and noted that after 2027, when the special fund of €100 billion ($108.2 billion) allocated by the German government for defense is exhausted, about €80 billion will be covered from the budget for defense spending.

Defense spending will almost be doubled from a decade ago, he said.

He also assured fellow leaders that Germany will pull its weight in the military alliance as it is "the largest country in Europe within the NATO alliance."

"This gives us a very special responsibility," he said, adding: "And I can say this very clearly and unequivocally here: We will, I will fulfil this responsibility."