EU Should Spend More Funds on Own Defense - Italian Defense Minister

The European Union should reconsider its approach to the bloc's defense and to increase its military spending, Italian Defense Minister Roberta Pinotti said Monday.


Earlier in the day, Pinotti's German counterpart Ursula von der Leyen said that the 28-nation bloc should assume more responsibility for securing its defense.

"Italy has already said that Europe should revise its approach to the issue of defense and to its own capabilities even before [US President-elect Donald] Trump's election. It means that in case of need we should spend more money on defense and first and foremost to do it better," Pinotti told reporters.

The discussions on Europe's defense have become more active amid the victory of Donald Trump at the November 8 US presidential election.

During the presidential race, the politician had repeatedly stated that the United States should decrease the support of other NATO member states and protect only those members of the alliance, who "fulfill their obligations" in respect to Washington.
  [sputniknews.com]
14/11/16
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