WEBVTT 1 00:00:05.120 --> 00:00:32.359 Thank you for listening to Depiction's Media Radio. Welcome to Policy Rights to show 2 00:00:32.560 --> 00:01:14.319 about government policy and human rights. Okay, welcome back to policy and rights 3 00:01:14.359 --> 00:01:19.439 here in Depictions Media Radio. I'm your host, Michael Cloggs. NATO is 4 00:01:19.920 --> 00:01:26.400 or the North American Treaty Organization. It has been in existence for ever since 5 00:01:26.439 --> 00:01:36.920 I can remember, and I remember it as a protection group against the Soviet 6 00:01:37.079 --> 00:01:47.120 Union for those countries who stood on the other side of the ideals and I 7 00:01:48.280 --> 00:01:57.920 and principles that the Soviet Union wanted the Eastern Bloc countries leading into from as 8 00:01:57.959 --> 00:02:04.159 I remember, from the nineteen sixties, nineteen seventies into the nineteen eighties, 9 00:02:04.640 --> 00:02:12.000 of course, into the fall of the Berlin Law. NATO still exists till 10 00:02:12.000 --> 00:02:20.639 the day as a treaty as a defense mechanism to help protect countries like Canada, 11 00:02:20.800 --> 00:02:25.319 the United States, Germany, England, France. I could keep going 12 00:02:25.400 --> 00:02:38.039 on about which countries are are protected by the North American Treaty Organization and in 13 00:02:38.080 --> 00:02:45.919 which case when we lead into the conversation that we're going to hear or press 14 00:02:45.960 --> 00:02:54.800 conference we're going to hear in just a few minutes that they're now helping Ukraine 15 00:02:55.199 --> 00:03:07.719 stand against the Russian Federation. The Russian Federation, as is described in this 16 00:03:07.759 --> 00:03:14.319 press conference, is a war of aggression. We'll simply put most wars are 17 00:03:14.639 --> 00:03:22.840 there's an aggressor and of course there's a defender. Sometimes maybe even two aggressors. 18 00:03:25.360 --> 00:03:30.199 But at this point, maybe NATO should be a little bit more than 19 00:03:30.840 --> 00:03:43.240 a defense organization and a little bit more of a organization that is trying to 20 00:03:43.280 --> 00:03:54.919 bring peace to the table. And that's where where the issue is that according 21 00:03:55.000 --> 00:04:02.840 to what we're going to hear that NATO countries are being asked to set aside 22 00:04:03.319 --> 00:04:15.520 two percent of their GDP. Well, in a lot of cases that can 23 00:04:15.599 --> 00:04:18.879 be that's quite a trunk of money, and money is to be spent on 24 00:04:19.240 --> 00:04:28.240 defense so that NATO has access to troops that NATO can enact these troops in 25 00:04:28.399 --> 00:04:42.439 order as a defense mechanism against enemies to the organization itself. And we have, 26 00:04:42.759 --> 00:04:47.319 of course the United Nations that is trying to bring peace and trying to 27 00:04:47.639 --> 00:04:55.639 in the war of aggression between Russian Ukraine by bringing them to a negotiation table. 28 00:04:56.279 --> 00:05:00.319 We're going to hear statements about that negotiation table also that says that the 29 00:05:00.480 --> 00:05:09.879 more territories that Ukraine can hold. Going into those negotiations means the better the 30 00:05:10.040 --> 00:05:21.360 deal will actually be for NATO. Is NATO at this point trying to continue 31 00:05:21.879 --> 00:05:30.600 a war, prolonged a war, or they try at this point trying to 32 00:05:30.759 --> 00:05:38.600 end the war as quickly as possible and also end attacks on human beings. 33 00:05:39.920 --> 00:05:47.480 Why don't we listen to what was said in the chancellery in Germany as NATO 34 00:05:48.399 --> 00:06:13.319 gives a press conference, and we'll be back. Secretary General, dear Yans, 35 00:06:13.600 --> 00:06:16.199 it's so nice to welcome you back to Berlin, to the chancellery. 36 00:06:17.759 --> 00:06:24.560 The top of our agenda was the summit NATO is gathering in billions in three 37 00:06:24.600 --> 00:06:30.319 weeks time. We're going to deal and discuss with dealing with the war of 38 00:06:30.360 --> 00:06:34.439 aggression in Ukraine and its consequences. At the Madrid Summit one year ago, 39 00:06:34.600 --> 00:06:40.759 we agreed on a range of steps in order to bolster and strengthen the alliance. 40 00:06:41.319 --> 00:06:45.519 NATO is it defends alliance. Germany has done a lot in order to 41 00:06:45.680 --> 00:06:51.519 increase the alliances defense capability. We're all united in our resolve to defend every 42 00:06:51.560 --> 00:06:59.920 square inch of NATO territory. Last week, the federal government adopted its national 43 00:07:00.040 --> 00:07:04.199 Security strategy for the first time in our history we have such a strategy. 44 00:07:05.360 --> 00:07:11.759 It stipulates very clearly that the defense of our country and the defense of our 45 00:07:11.759 --> 00:07:17.360 alliance have absolute priority for the bunds. There with the Special Fund to the 46 00:07:17.399 --> 00:07:24.279 tune of one hundred billion, we have past important investments in order to modernize 47 00:07:24.360 --> 00:07:29.079 our capabilities and enhance these, and we are going to spend two percent of 48 00:07:29.079 --> 00:07:33.720 our GDP annually on defense. NATO is and remains the central and pivotal garantea 49 00:07:33.759 --> 00:07:41.600 of our collective security. We are going to make reliably make available a major 50 00:07:41.680 --> 00:07:46.319 part of there for the defense of the Alliance. In Already, Germany's very 51 00:07:46.319 --> 00:07:50.519 engaged when it comes to the protection of our alliance in Central and Eastern Europe. 52 00:07:50.920 --> 00:07:56.319 In Lithuania, for a long time we've been leading a multinational battle group 53 00:07:56.399 --> 00:08:03.240 and with our Eurofighters and Patriot systems, we're protecting Poland and we're participating in 54 00:08:03.279 --> 00:08:09.040 air port leasing in the Baltics. In addition, we keep almost seventeen thousand 55 00:08:09.120 --> 00:08:16.600 soldiers ready for the Native Response Force in order to quickly lend assistance to threatened 56 00:08:16.639 --> 00:08:20.480 allies. Our focus on the defense of the country and the alliance also means 57 00:08:20.519 --> 00:08:28.120 that we exercise intensively together with our allies. Right now we have the exercise 58 00:08:28.319 --> 00:08:33.320 Air Defender, the largest exercise of air forces in German skies in decades. 59 00:08:35.440 --> 00:08:39.240 This past Friday again the first hand impression of the state of cooperation among allies. 60 00:08:39.399 --> 00:08:43.639 In Yaga, I saw just how well twenty five nations are cooperating in 61 00:08:43.679 --> 00:08:50.279 this exercise. In Europe, we need to invest in air defense. With 62 00:08:50.360 --> 00:08:54.720 the European sky Shield Initiative, we gather the states of Europe in order to 63 00:08:54.840 --> 00:09:01.039 increase together the protection against ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drew. We should 64 00:09:01.080 --> 00:09:05.240 be prepared that the Russian war of aggression may take a long time. We're 65 00:09:05.279 --> 00:09:11.639 preparing for that and we're adapting our policies accordingly. Germany is going to support 66 00:09:11.879 --> 00:09:18.720 Ukraine as long as it is necessary. We have earmarked the necessary funding in 67 00:09:18.759 --> 00:09:24.000 our budget, and we are engaged and are committed to the fact that the 68 00:09:24.080 --> 00:09:30.759 German industry enhances its capacities for production and the repair and maintenance of armaments. 69 00:09:30.919 --> 00:09:35.120 It is clear NATO will not become a party to the war. Ladies and 70 00:09:35.159 --> 00:09:39.759 gentlemen, NATO is a strong alliance. Last year Finland and Sweden decided to 71 00:09:39.840 --> 00:09:46.320 join NATO and those countries are a welcome and an important addition to our alliance. 72 00:09:46.600 --> 00:09:50.679 It is important to me that both countries will be gathered as allies in 73 00:09:50.840 --> 00:09:56.799 Vilnius together with us. The Secretary General and myself also talked about the security 74 00:09:56.799 --> 00:10:00.799 of critical infrastructure, especially in the North Sea. So I want to thank 75 00:10:00.840 --> 00:10:05.120 you for your commitment that Nature is going to take over a coordinating role. 76 00:10:05.519 --> 00:10:11.639 Sabotnas of gas pipelines, but also submarine cables and wind power plants affect the 77 00:10:11.679 --> 00:10:16.159 security of all of the alliance. It's not a matter pertaining to just single 78 00:10:16.240 --> 00:10:20.759 alliance. We tackle these tasks together within the Alliance, and I'm grateful the 79 00:10:20.840 --> 00:10:26.320 good Corporation with the Nature, which you can represent like no other. Thank 80 00:10:26.360 --> 00:10:33.000 you so also results they would love. Thank you so much for hosting me 81 00:10:33.080 --> 00:10:37.720 here in Berlin, and also thank you so much for your leadership and for 82 00:10:37.759 --> 00:10:43.399 your personal commitment to NATO, to the Transatlantic Alliance. We face the most 83 00:10:43.559 --> 00:10:50.600 challenging security environment in a generation. Last the air prest and putins and hundreds 84 00:10:50.600 --> 00:10:56.759 of thousands of tubes into Ukraine causing death and the destruction. Ukraine has the 85 00:10:56.879 --> 00:11:05.759 right to liberate, liberate its own land and a counter offensive is now underway. 86 00:11:05.879 --> 00:11:09.840 The more land the Ukrainians are able to liberate, the stronger their hand 87 00:11:11.039 --> 00:11:18.639 will eventually be at the negotiating table. We all want this war to end, 88 00:11:18.360 --> 00:11:26.639 but a just piece cannot mean freezing the conflict and accepting a deal dictated 89 00:11:26.639 --> 00:11:31.720 by Russia. NATO is, as you said, no party to the conflict. 90 00:11:33.200 --> 00:11:37.399 We stand by Ukraine in its right to self defense and shrined in the 91 00:11:37.519 --> 00:11:45.080 UN Charter, and I commend Germany for its leading role in providing military, 92 00:11:45.279 --> 00:11:52.240 financial and humanitarian aid to Ukraine and the recent decision to deliver another sixty four 93 00:11:52.399 --> 00:12:01.360 Patriot missiles to Ukraine. This will save lives to day. We also discussed 94 00:12:01.399 --> 00:12:07.320 our long term support. The Villainous Summit in July will set out a vision 95 00:12:07.440 --> 00:12:13.320 for Ukraine's future as an independent, democratic member of the U Atlantic Family. 96 00:12:13.039 --> 00:12:20.519 At the summit, Allies and will address Ukraine's membership aspirations. Allies are working 97 00:12:20.639 --> 00:12:24.960 on a multi air package of assistance for Ukraine. We're also working to establish 98 00:12:26.080 --> 00:12:33.039 a new NATO Ukraine Council to jointly consult on security issues of mutual concern. 99 00:12:33.240 --> 00:12:39.559 The decisions we will take in Villneus will bring Ukraine closer to NATO. We 100 00:12:39.679 --> 00:12:45.279 also addressed bolstering NATO's the terrence and defense. This will be high on the 101 00:12:45.279 --> 00:12:50.639 agenda of our summit. We are now putting in place new regional plans with 102 00:12:50.759 --> 00:12:58.679 assigned forces and capabilities and high level of readiness. Germany will play a major 103 00:12:58.759 --> 00:13:05.399 part out of this. You have already allocated thousands of troops to NATO, 104 00:13:05.039 --> 00:13:13.200 including through your leadership or our multinational battlegroup in Lithuania. I welcome Germany's first 105 00:13:13.320 --> 00:13:22.960 ever national security strategy, which confirms your strong commitment to NATO. I'm also 106 00:13:22.200 --> 00:13:28.960 thankful for Germany's leadership in establishing a new NATO Maritime Center for the security or 107 00:13:30.000 --> 00:13:39.000 critical underseas infrastructure. This will increase our situation awareness and enhance our maritime presence. 108 00:13:39.679 --> 00:13:46.879 Tomorrow I will attend Exercise Air Defender, the biggest air exercise in NATO's 109 00:13:46.919 --> 00:13:54.960 history. This is an other demonstration of Germany's capabilities and commitment and sends a 110 00:13:54.080 --> 00:14:01.679 clear message and Nature remains ready to defend every inch of Allied territory to keep 111 00:14:01.720 --> 00:14:05.759 our people safe. We must continue to invest in our security. At the 112 00:14:05.840 --> 00:14:11.279 NATO seventeen Livillnis, we will agree on a more ambitious defense investment. Fredge 113 00:14:11.519 --> 00:14:16.240 with two percent of GDP as the floor, not a ceiling, and as 114 00:14:16.320 --> 00:14:22.399 strongly welcome Germany's historic commitment to reach two percent. In twenty twenty four. 115 00:14:24.720 --> 00:14:31.519 We also discussed the situation in Kosovo. NATO's commitment to our United Nations mandate 116 00:14:31.120 --> 00:14:39.200 is unwavering. Our forces the k FOR will continue to take all necessary measures 117 00:14:39.360 --> 00:14:45.200 to ensure a safe and secure environment and freedom a movement for all communities in 118 00:14:45.279 --> 00:14:52.919 Kosovo. We call on all parties to stop any further scalatory steps and to 119 00:14:52.960 --> 00:15:00.799 return immediately to the dialogue facilitated by the European Union. So chances al, 120 00:15:01.480 --> 00:15:15.840 thank you Games for Germany's leadership in this critical time of eat very much. 121 00:15:15.879 --> 00:15:22.200 Secretary General Ukraine expects of the summit in Vilnius a formal invitation to NATO to 122 00:15:22.320 --> 00:15:26.639 join nature. Would you say that after the Defense Ministry's meeting this past week, 123 00:15:26.759 --> 00:15:31.799 such an invitation is off the table finally, and that we're just talking 124 00:15:31.840 --> 00:15:37.679 about pledges below this threshold. And Federal Chancellor you mentioned time and again the 125 00:15:37.799 --> 00:15:43.799 Decisions Declaration of Booker Rest in two thousand and eight, when Ukraine was given 126 00:15:43.879 --> 00:15:54.279 a perspective for accession. Could use think that there is a formulation beyond awarding 127 00:15:54.320 --> 00:15:58.960 beyond Bucharest. At in Vilnius, at the Vilnius Summit, and in the 128 00:15:58.039 --> 00:16:06.240 preparations for the we're not discussing to issue a formal invitation. What we are 129 00:16:06.320 --> 00:16:12.759 discussing is how to move Ukraine closer to NATO. And there are ongoing consultations, 130 00:16:12.960 --> 00:16:18.399 and I'm not in a position to preempt the outcome of those consultations. 131 00:16:18.360 --> 00:16:22.240 But what I can say is that allies, actually alladay agree on a lot. 132 00:16:22.759 --> 00:16:27.480 We agree on that NATO's door is open. We are demonstrated that with 133 00:16:27.559 --> 00:16:32.279 the invitation of Finland and Sweden. We also agree on what we stated in 134 00:16:32.320 --> 00:16:36.600 two thousand and eight that Ukraine will become a member of the Alliance. We 135 00:16:36.720 --> 00:16:42.120 also agree that it's not for Russia, but for Ukraine and night to Allies 136 00:16:42.159 --> 00:16:48.559 to decide when the time is right to invite Ukraine. Russia doesn't have a 137 00:16:48.639 --> 00:16:53.679 vto over natal decisions. But most importantly, we all agree that the most 138 00:16:53.960 --> 00:16:59.679 urgent and important task now is to ensure that Ukraine prevails as a servant in 139 00:16:59.720 --> 00:17:03.680 the democratic nation in Europe. Because unless we do that, unless Ukraine prevails, 140 00:17:03.960 --> 00:17:08.000 there's no issue to be discussed at all related to membership. So therefore 141 00:17:08.400 --> 00:17:14.279 I'm absolutely confident that at the Business summit i'll as we iterate a strong support 142 00:17:14.279 --> 00:17:22.720 to Ukraine and they need to both blattery but also through multilateral institutions provide support 143 00:17:22.880 --> 00:17:30.240 Ukraine for as long as it takes. I don't have much to add. 144 00:17:30.279 --> 00:17:36.960 We have the Bucharest decision, the bookarestcisition is remains, the book Arest decision 145 00:17:37.039 --> 00:17:40.839 remains, and we need to focus on the task at hand. We need 146 00:17:40.880 --> 00:17:45.880 to support Ukraine to defend its country, its integrity and sovereignty. Next question, 147 00:17:45.960 --> 00:17:57.079 please, Federal Chancellor, you stipulate this within the national security strategy you 148 00:17:57.160 --> 00:18:03.440 mentioned the two percent goal of NATO. Now their demands by Estonia the ally 149 00:18:03.559 --> 00:18:08.920 to increase the objective, to increase it to two point five and to make 150 00:18:08.960 --> 00:18:15.160 it the floor and not the ceiling. Do you agree the Federal government? 151 00:18:15.200 --> 00:18:22.559 Does the Federal government agree the defense budget is not supposed to increase that much 152 00:18:22.599 --> 00:18:27.480 next year? And Secretary General on the two percent goal in the national security 153 00:18:27.720 --> 00:18:34.799 strategy which you commended right now, it reads that Germany wants to achieve this 154 00:18:36.000 --> 00:18:41.519 in a multi annual average, meaning that it would be okay if it would 155 00:18:41.559 --> 00:18:45.200 be below two percent for one year or another. Is that enough for you? 156 00:18:45.680 --> 00:18:49.359 And as from a NATO perspective, thank you very much for these questions. 157 00:18:49.440 --> 00:18:56.519 We took all the necessary preparations for us to reach the two percent goal. 158 00:18:56.640 --> 00:19:00.799 We do this with the federal budget, but also by using the special 159 00:19:00.880 --> 00:19:11.319 fund that was conceived to actually be able to spend two percent. And in 160 00:19:11.359 --> 00:19:22.000 the law passing this special fund, you see the funding available and you could 161 00:19:22.559 --> 00:19:30.119 actually spend one year, spend more than others. But our outlook is two 162 00:19:30.160 --> 00:19:36.200 percent. Our perspective is two percent. I assume once all countries in europeath 163 00:19:36.480 --> 00:19:41.599 exceive this, and all members in the Transatlantic Alliance, this will lead to 164 00:19:41.799 --> 00:19:48.119 a tremendous increase in our defense capabilities. I mean, it's a massive increase 165 00:19:48.720 --> 00:19:55.319 in defense spending. And if you look at all the many other countries and 166 00:19:55.640 --> 00:20:02.240 factor this in countries that also need to increase their spend for them to reach 167 00:20:02.400 --> 00:20:06.440 the two percent objective, then if you add all of this up, this 168 00:20:06.559 --> 00:20:12.279 will result in a massive increase of defense capabilities for NATO. First of all, 169 00:20:12.279 --> 00:20:17.839 I would like to welcome the very strong commitment of Germany to reach two 170 00:20:17.880 --> 00:20:21.759 percent, and not only the commitment, but actually the fact that we have 171 00:20:21.839 --> 00:20:29.720 seen German defense spending going up significantly and also of course by the special fund 172 00:20:29.759 --> 00:20:33.839 of one hundred billion euros, and the whole message from the site. Mender 173 00:20:33.480 --> 00:20:41.200 has really sent a very clear message about further increases and under strengthened commitment of 174 00:20:41.839 --> 00:20:48.680 Germany to contribute to our shared security, to our collected defense in NATO and 175 00:20:48.720 --> 00:20:52.599 AD's something I welcome and we have seen that commitment not only words but also 176 00:20:52.599 --> 00:20:59.359 indeeds. Because Germany has taken important decisions to acquire new modern kaputies, including 177 00:21:00.440 --> 00:21:07.720 fighter jets and more air defenses and many other types of defense capilities which are 178 00:21:07.759 --> 00:21:15.400 important for Germany but also for the whole of NATO, then they need to 179 00:21:15.480 --> 00:21:18.799 reach two percent. Reflects the fact that we live in a more dangerous world. 180 00:21:19.279 --> 00:21:25.480 And again it will be for the leaders when they meet in Villius to 181 00:21:25.519 --> 00:21:30.039 decide the exact language. But I have argued in favor of regarding two percent 182 00:21:30.079 --> 00:21:34.599 as a minimum because when you look at the capability targets, the capities we 183 00:21:34.680 --> 00:21:38.640 need to strengthen or collect the defense in the way we have agreed for many 184 00:21:38.640 --> 00:21:44.400 countries it will require actually more than two percent. Then, of course the 185 00:21:44.400 --> 00:21:48.000 realities that we have a two percent guideline, there will always be fluctuations in 186 00:21:48.079 --> 00:21:53.680 GDP. So certainly you have a pandemic and GDP goes down and then you 187 00:21:53.759 --> 00:21:59.359 may have very high percentage. So these kind of fluctuations will always be the 188 00:21:59.480 --> 00:22:03.279 case. But there is a big difference fluctuating around one percent or one and 189 00:22:03.279 --> 00:22:07.319 a half percent and fructure entering around two percent. So the most important is 190 00:22:07.359 --> 00:22:11.759 that we have a significant increase defense spending and that we meet the capility targets 191 00:22:11.799 --> 00:22:15.960 which we agree in which we have agreed in NATO. It add one brief 192 00:22:17.000 --> 00:22:21.200 thing, and that is that from our own experience as as a politician in 193 00:22:22.039 --> 00:22:25.720 minutes of Finance and and Prime Minister, I know that it's never easy to 194 00:22:25.720 --> 00:22:29.599 increase defense spending because if you spend more on defense, there's something less. 195 00:22:29.960 --> 00:22:33.680 There is less for health care, for education, for all the important things. 196 00:22:33.160 --> 00:22:36.319 But the reality is that when we live in a more dangerous world, 197 00:22:36.319 --> 00:22:38.960 we just have to pay the price of investing more in defense because without peace 198 00:22:40.000 --> 00:22:44.720 and security, all the other things we are striving for, climate change prosperity 199 00:22:45.000 --> 00:22:51.200 will not Some were able to addrest them. If we don't ensure peace and 200 00:22:51.240 --> 00:23:00.759 security, they can Secretary General, I would like to ask a question pertaining 201 00:23:00.759 --> 00:23:06.519 to your own future. Could you say whether you would be available for an 202 00:23:06.519 --> 00:23:11.039 extension of your term in office? There are more and more governments proposing this 203 00:23:11.759 --> 00:23:18.279 so that you would remain in office until April of next year, because people 204 00:23:18.359 --> 00:23:22.799 have not agreed on a successor male or female and Federal transfer. A question 205 00:23:22.880 --> 00:23:30.240 pertaining to another topic, Intel, the company Intel has made tremendous investments in 206 00:23:30.279 --> 00:23:40.119 Israel, twenty five billion Poland and five billion in Israel and Poland? Is 207 00:23:40.160 --> 00:23:45.200 the government going to pay ten billion in SUBBEYCE subsidies so that Intel will establish 208 00:23:45.279 --> 00:23:48.559 a business location in market? Also, I'm nothing new to say about this. 209 00:23:49.000 --> 00:23:55.599 I have no intention of the seeking extension of my term. My only 210 00:23:55.640 --> 00:24:00.759 plan is to is to be focused on my Tusker sector Jenner Roll and do 211 00:24:00.920 --> 00:24:06.960 my job here until my tender end this this fall. And I really know 212 00:24:07.079 --> 00:24:12.559 all the plans. Thank you very much. Thank you very much for this 213 00:24:12.759 --> 00:24:17.359 question. As you know, I'm going to meet representatives of Intel today, 214 00:24:17.440 --> 00:24:22.160 it was publicly announced and I will answer your questions at a different press conference. 215 00:24:30.799 --> 00:24:36.440 Federal and Chancellor you talked about the priority of country defense. You reiterated 216 00:24:36.519 --> 00:24:41.839 this shouldn't this be reflected in the regular defense budget. You're in the final 217 00:24:41.920 --> 00:24:45.799 phase of budget deliberations. Are we going to see a higher defense budget? 218 00:24:45.839 --> 00:24:52.640 And Secretary General you talked about the two percent, which are not the bottom, 219 00:24:52.960 --> 00:24:57.240 not the ceiling. Don't you see a contradiction, a clear contradiction with 220 00:24:57.359 --> 00:25:03.519 regard to the security strategy, which is talking about a multi annual average that 221 00:25:03.599 --> 00:25:08.839 keeps the backdoor open to less and not strives to have more than two percent 222 00:25:08.920 --> 00:25:15.079 like you, Thank you very much for your question. Let me reiterate. 223 00:25:15.240 --> 00:25:25.880 We have proposed an ambitious enhancement of our defense effort and we assume that with 224 00:25:26.039 --> 00:25:30.720 the funding from the budget and the funds that we have from the Special Fund, 225 00:25:30.799 --> 00:25:34.599 that we will be able to achieve the two percent threshold. If you 226 00:25:34.680 --> 00:25:41.680 don't insist on copyright, I will reiterate what the Secretary General just said. 227 00:25:41.240 --> 00:25:47.200 I will take it over one hundred percent, and I will ask the breath 228 00:25:47.279 --> 00:25:51.920 Secretary to say that it was my statement on not the Secretary generals. You 229 00:25:51.960 --> 00:25:56.480 can take that no problem. First of all, Also, the thing is 230 00:25:56.519 --> 00:26:00.000 that the national security is a very important document and a welcome that and the 231 00:26:00.079 --> 00:26:04.680 expresses and formulate it's a very strong commitment of Germany to our collected defense, 232 00:26:04.720 --> 00:26:10.680 to a transatlantic bond, to NATO and also the need to invest more in 233 00:26:10.720 --> 00:26:14.519 defense. And as I said, if you look at Europe on average, 234 00:26:14.960 --> 00:26:19.400 the fluctuations have been around one point five percent more or less, and of 235 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:22.720 course if the fluctuations ends up around two percent, we are in a very 236 00:26:22.759 --> 00:26:30.480 different world, which will be a huge improvement. Second, when I refer 237 00:26:30.519 --> 00:26:33.559 to two percent as a minimum, that reflects the reality that when you look 238 00:26:33.599 --> 00:26:38.039 on the NATO capility targets that the forces we agreed to have on high readiness 239 00:26:38.559 --> 00:26:47.359 and then the force structure we need to actually deliver on on strengthening or collected 240 00:26:47.440 --> 00:26:51.000 defense. Then for many allies, depending on how much they invests invested in 241 00:26:51.039 --> 00:26:55.319 the past where they are, this will necessarily mean more than two percent, 242 00:26:55.359 --> 00:27:00.279 and also fluctuations on levels about two percent, But with uncertain as related to 243 00:27:00.400 --> 00:27:08.599 GDP, there will always be flutuations. Ladies and gentlemen, this concludes our 244 00:27:08.680 --> 00:27:26.839 presence. Most of us want peace. Most of us common citizens don't want 245 00:27:26.880 --> 00:27:36.200 to hear about drone strikes, bombs being dropped attacks on other countries, attacks 246 00:27:36.279 --> 00:27:45.039 on cities where um damns are are exploding, and we definitely don't want it 247 00:27:45.200 --> 00:27:52.519 in our own neighborhood. We want to keep war out of our lives in 248 00:27:52.559 --> 00:28:04.039 general, because ultimately being the everyday people who our children are the ones that 249 00:28:04.599 --> 00:28:11.920 may have to go off and fight the war. And we don't want to 250 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:18.160 see our children coming back in body bags, nor do we want to see 251 00:28:18.160 --> 00:28:25.759 anybody else's children around the world come home to their parents in a body bag 252 00:28:25.880 --> 00:28:33.759 or a pine box. We have to find a way to convince NATO and 253 00:28:33.920 --> 00:28:41.480 other organizations that peace and talking is the foremost way to settle our differences so 254 00:28:41.559 --> 00:28:51.200 that we have our children with us, that we get to watch our grandchildren 255 00:28:51.720 --> 00:29:03.839 grow and generations to come of human beings just live in peace. Thank you 256 00:29:03.880 --> 00:29:10.160 for listening to Depicttion's Media Radio. I've been your host Michael Clogs and please 257 00:29:10.279 --> 00:30:04.000 click that subscribe. But the show has been produced by Depictions Media. Please 258 00:30:04.079 --> 00:30:08.559 contact us at depictions dot media for more information.