Allied Heads of State and Government gathered in London on Tuesday, 3 December, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of NATO.
In 1949, the United Kingdom was one of NATO’s twelve founding members and London was the home of NATO’s first headquarters.
Leaders took decisions to further strengthen the Alliance and continue its adaptation.
As a part of the celebrations, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II hosted a reception for NATO leaders at Buckingham Palace.
By 2024, NATO expects defence spending in the alliance (excluding the US) to increase nearly tenfold over 2018 spending.
While the Allies (excluding the United States) spent $ 43 billion last year on defence, after five years, the cost is expected to reach $ 400 billion. The latest figures for 2019 indicate a 4.6% year-over-year increase in military spending.
Secretary-General of the Pact Jens Stoltenberg said that NATO remains the place where Europe and North America talk daily. According to him, there are sometimes differences in the alliance, but the strength of the organisation is that it always overcomes them and manages to provide mutual protection.
Bulgarian President Rumen Radev said before the beginning of the Summit that the NATO meeting in London should not become a domestic-policy rostrum, but should contribute to strengthening unity and increasing security. However, the problems and existing contradictions should be openly stated and a constructive dialogue should be held, which we expect to happen.
