Netherlands Supports German NATO Plan
THE HAGUE, 25/10/13 - The Netherlands is supporting a German plan to give larger countries a leading role within NATO. Together with such a coordinator, other allies can for example develop a military project or buy tanker aircraft.
The Netherlands is a supporter of greater international partnership, Defence Minister Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert stressed in Brussels following a meeting with her NATO colleagues. “It is a very good concept,” says the minister. She hopes that the plan will be worked out further at the next NATO summit in a year’s time. Unlike some other NATO members, the Netherlands is not afraid of the new approach leading to loss of sovereignty and national control. 'If partnership means that we can defend the interests of the Netherlands better, it means added value rather than erosion.” Nor does Hennis-Plasschaert share the fears of the French that the partnership under a “leader” will lead to specialisation of armies. ''It is not the intention that we will shrunk into a specific unit of the armed forces under the new form of partnership.” |
|
