NATO’s new 5% of GDP defence pledge shows renewed unity and focus on collective security, Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska told AnewZ in an exclusive interview. It came as U.S. President Donald Trump used his WEF address to again claim credit for pushing allies to lift defence spending.
During the World Economic Forum in Davos, Donald Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte discussed Arctic security and Greenland, with the U.S. President signalling that new tariffs on European allies were unnecessary for the time being.
"Actually, from what I heard and read after Davos and this meeting between the Secretary General and the U.S. President, it was quite a lot of praise from both sides, because it was really seen as an effort of thoughtful diplomacy to actually come up with agreement on many things," Shekerinska told AnewZ Editor-in-Chief Guy Shone in an exclusive sit-down interview.
Shekerinska noted NATO’s focus on collective security in the Arctic amid increased Russian and Chinese activity.
“Out of the eight Arctic countries, seven are NATO allies. Our approach has been to focus on what we can do more in order to support our collective security by protecting the Arctic,” she explained, citing Russia’s reopening of Soviet-era military sites, deep-water ports, and new airfields, as well as China’s growing presence in the region.
The Deputy Secretary General stated that the promise to increase defence spending within the alliance, reflects “a razor-focused approach on security, on stronger defence and deterrence,” signalling a new era of unity and burden-sharing within NATO.
“U.S. President Trump was very clear that he expects European allies and Canada to really take a balanced part of the weight when it comes to security,” she said.
The Deputy Secretary General stressed that the 5% GDP pledge demonstrates both commitment and credibility in the face of growing global threats, including from Russia and terrorism.
Shekerinska also highlighted NATO’s longstanding partnership with Azerbaijan. “We have a history of three decades of partnership with Azerbaijan. They have both profited from this partnership, but also contributed to the partnership,” she said, referencing Azerbaijan’s involvement in NATO missions in Afghanistan and contributions to human security initiatives, such as demining and defence education programmes.
The Deputy Secretary General added that NATO is formalising this cooperation through a new Individually Tailored Partnership Program (ITPP), designed to enhance bilateral relations and foster regional stability.
She also welcomed recent breakthroughs in Armenia–Azerbaijan relations, describing the peace negotiations as “a concrete contribution” to regional security.
Despite criticism of multilateral organisations in recent years, Shekerinska emphasised that NATO’s focus on core security priorities and its adaptability has reinforced its relevance.
“Every time people start posing the question about NATO’s future, we end up with a solution, meaning more NATO, not less NATO,” she said, underlining the alliance’s assuredness in confronting today’s global challenges.
“NATO is prepared for the future and facing it with strong self-confidence,” Shekerinska concluded.
Polls have close in Bangladesh's first general election since the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s po...
Azerbaijan’s State Security Service has filed charges against a group of people accused of belonging to a criminal network alleged to have attempted...
Afghanistan’s Health Minister has urged urgent action to strengthen domestic polio diagnostics and expand healthcare for returnees and vulnerable co...
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Wednesday (11 February) that his government will only hold national elections once a ceasefire with Ru...
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has firmly ruled out any discussion of the country’s ballistic missile capabilities in the newly resumed, O...
Polls have close in Bangladesh's first general election since the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s political transition. Turnout reached 47.91% by early afternoon, according to partial data from election authorities.
Azerbaijan’s State Security Service has filed charges against a group of people accused of belonging to a criminal network alleged to have attempted to forcibly seize state power. It's claimed they tried to alter the constitutional structure, with the support of foreign intelligence agencies.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Wednesday (11 February) that his government will only hold national elections once a ceasefire with Russia is in place and security guarantees are secured, pushing back at suggestions of fresh ballots under pressure from international partners.
Stalled U.S.–Iran talks and mounting regional tensions are exposing a growing strategic rift between Washington and Tel Aviv over how to confront Tehran, political analyst James M. Dorsey says, exposing stark differences in approach at a critical moment.
The United States and Azerbaijan signed a strategic partnership in Baku on Tuesday (10 February) encompassing economic and security cooperation as Washington seeks to expand its influence in a region where Russia was once the main power broker.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis arrived in Ankara on Wednesday, where Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held an official welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Palace, marking the start of high-level talks between the two NATO allies.
A senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader said on Tuesday that negotiations with the United States must remain focused on the nuclear issue and be grounded in realism, as Washington and Tehran prepare to resume talks mediated by Oman.
China became Brazil’s largest source of imported vehicles in January, overtaking long-time leader Argentina in a shift that underscores Beijing’s rapidly expanding influence in one of Latin America’s biggest auto markets.
James Van Der Beek, who rose to fame as Dawson Leery in the hit teen drama Dawson’s Creek, has died aged 48 following a battle with stage 3 colorectal cancer.
Polls have close in Bangladesh's first general election since the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s political transition. Turnout reached 47.91% by early afternoon, according to partial data from election authorities.
Stalled U.S.–Iran talks and mounting regional tensions are exposing a growing strategic rift between Washington and Tel Aviv over how to confront Tehran, political analyst James M. Dorsey says, exposing stark differences in approach at a critical moment.
A Republican lawmaker accused on Wednesday (11 February) Attorney General Pam Bondi of concealing the names of Jeffrey Epstein’s powerful associates. The claim was made during a heated House hearing on the Justice Department’s handling of the files.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 12th of February, covering the latest developments you need to know.
The Ukrainian capital came under a “massive” Russian missile attack early Thursday (12 February), with explosions heard across the capital according to authorities. The assault unfolded as uncertainty lingers over upcoming U.S.-brokered peace talks.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment