Germany urged to ‘lead’

BERLIN: Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg urged Germany on a visit to Berlin on Wednesday to mirror its leadership role in Europe as the bloc’s biggest economy in its defence spending.
Describing Germany as a “staunch and important” Nato ally, Stoltenberg stressed the need for members of the US-led alliance to bump up investment amid challenges such as the Islamic State Jihadist group or the Ukraine crisis.
“Germany is providing leadership in so many areas in Europe, but we are also looking for German leadership when it comes to investing in defence,” the alliance chief told a joint press conference with Chancellor Angela Merkel.
“We need to invest in our defence to be able to protect all our allies and to maintain the security and stability of Europe,” the former Norwegian premier, who took over the Nato helm in October, added.
Meanwhile Stoltenberg welcomed German involvement in Afghanistan and developing a high-speed Nato reaction force.