Luik: NATO, transatlantic ties create deterrent that ensures security
NATO along with other transatlantic ties form a deterrent that assures the security of Europe, Defence Minister Jüri Luik (IRL) said in a panel discussion on defense cooperation between the European Union and NATO at the Munich Security Conference on Friday.
Other participants on the panel were NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller, Norwegian Defense Minister Frank Bakke-Jensen, and U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham.
According to Luik, cooperation in the EU provides good additional opportunities for developing the military capacity of European countries, but projects like the permanent structured cooperation (PESCO) framework would never have existed if they copied NATO.
Defense cooperation between NATO and the EU could focus on assuring military mobility, cyber security, and organizing joint exercises, Luik said. He called on using the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Center of Excellence as a platform for such cooperation. He also proposed that all member states could grant permission to allied forces to cross their borders in no more than five days.
At a meeting with Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti, Supreme Allied Commander Europe of NATO Allied Command Operations, Luik discussed the upcoming NATO summit. Luik said at the meeting that it is important that NATO's deterrence would continue to be strengthened using strengthening strategy plans and adjusting the military leadership structure. Estonia supports granting the Supreme Allied Commander more authority to guarantee faster reaction speed of allied forces.
Editor: Dario Cavegn
Source: BNS
