Latest news with #MargaritaRobles
Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Spain's commitment to Nato ‘total', says defence minister, after PM seeks exemption
Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles said her country was "a serious, trustworthy, responsible ally". PHOTO: AFP Spain's commitment to Nato 'total', says defence minister, after PM seeks exemption MADRID - Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles said on June 20 her country is totally committed to Nato, a day after Madrid asked the alliance to be exempted from the proposed increase in the defence spending target to 5 per cent of gross domestic product. 'Spain and its armed forces are a serious, trustworthy, responsible ally that is absolutely committed to the European Union and the Atlantic Alliance,' Ms Robles said in Madrid. 'No one can call it into question.' Her comments came following a letter by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to Nato chief Mark Rutte on June 19 that could derail a summit at which the military alliance plans to ask them to commit to the 5 per cent target. In his letter, Mr Sanchez requested a 'more flexible formula' that either makes the spending target optional or excludes Spain from its application. At an estimated 1.28 per cent of GDP, Spain had the lowest proportion of expenditure on defence in the alliance in 2024, according to Nato estimates. Mr Sanchez agreed in April to accelerate efforts to meet Nato's current target of 2 per cent this year. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Spain's commitment to NATO 'total', defence minister says
MADRID - Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles said on Friday her country is totally committed to NATO, a day after Madrid asked the alliance to be exempted from the proposed increase in the defence spending target to 5% of gross domestic product. "Spain and its armed forces are a serious, trustworthy, responsible ally that is absolutely committed to the European Union and the Atlantic Alliance," Robles said in Madrid. "No one can call it into question." Her comments came following a letter by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to NATO chief Mark Rutte on Thursday that could derail a summit at which the military alliance plans to ask them to commit to the 5% target. In his letter, Sanchez requested a "more flexible formula" that either makes the spending target optional or excludes Spain from its application. At an estimated 1.28% of GDP, Spain had the lowest proportion of expenditure on defence in the alliance last year, according to NATO estimates. Sanchez agreed in April to accelerate efforts to meet NATO's current target of 2% this year. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Reuters
4 hours ago
- Business
- Reuters
Spain's commitment to NATO 'total', defence minister says
MADRID, June 20 (Reuters) - Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles said on Friday her country is totally committed to NATO, a day after Madrid asked the alliance to be exempted from the proposed increase in the defence spending target to 5% of gross domestic product. "Spain and its armed forces are a serious, trustworthy, responsible ally that is absolutely committed to the European Union and the Atlantic Alliance," Robles said in Madrid. "No one can call it into question." Her comments came following a letter by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to NATO chief Mark Rutte on Thursday that could derail a summit at which the military alliance plans to ask them to commit to the 5% target. In his letter, Sanchez requested a "more flexible formula" that either makes the spending target optional or excludes Spain from its application. At an estimated 1.28% of GDP, Spain had the lowest proportion of expenditure on defence in the alliance last year, according to NATO estimates. Sanchez agreed in April to accelerate efforts to meet NATO's current target of 2% this year.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Spain rejects NATO plans for 5% defence spending target
Spain is opposing NATO's plans to increase defence spending to 5% of gross domestic product (GDP), public broadcaster RTVE reported on Thursday. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez informed NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte of his country's opposition to the new target in a letter, according to reports from RTVE and other media outlets that have seen the letter. The government in Madrid confirmed the report to dpa upon request. Sánchez wrote that an increase in defence spending to a total of 5% of GDP by 2032, as proposed, was "not only unreasonable but even counterproductive" for his country. Therefore, he said, Madrid would "not be able to commit to a specific spending target" at the NATO summit next week in The Hague. The statement from Sánchez is not surprising. At the end of May, Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares stressed during a visit from his German counterpart Johann Wadephul at a joint press conference that Spain was making greater efforts in the defence sector than ever before. The existing NATO target of 2% of GDP was "realistic," he said. Defence Minister Margarita Robles even described the NATO plans as a "big mistake." "We believe that the process cannot consist of first setting a percentage and then determining the capabilities; it must be the other way around," she said. With military expenditure of around 1.3% of GDP, Spain is among the lowest spenders on defence in the alliance. However, in April, the left-wing government announced that it wanted to achieve the 2% target this year. Originally, this was planned for 2029. Madrid intends to spend an additional €10.5 billion ($12 billion), about 50% more than previously planned.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Spain will stick to 2% of GDP defence spending goal, defence minister says
MADRID (Reuters) -Spain stands by its defence spending target of 2% of GDP, Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles said on Thursday, as pressure grows from NATO leadership and the United States for the Mediterranean country to increase it. "We think that this 2% is enough to meet the responsibilities we have committed to," Robles said. Spain will not veto a NATO decision to raise the defence spending target during a summit to be held later this month in The Hague, she said. "What is important is that each country is able to meet the objectives it has set itself," she added. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced in April a plan to increase military spending by 10.5 billion euros ($11.99 billion) this year, bringing forward to this year a goal to meet the 2% of GDP target from its previously self-imposed deadline of 2029. Despite the new plan Spain, which spent just 1.3% on defence in 2024, the lowest among NATO members, is under pressure to spend even more. European defence commissioner Andrius Kubilius said on May 3 Spain ought to raise spending to 3% of GDP. ($1 = 0.8755 euros)
