US President Barack Obama calls on Europe to carry more of the shared burden for security, directly challenging the continent’s leaders while on a visit to Germany Monday.
“Europe has sometimes been complacent about its own defense,” Obama says bluntly.
Underlining that NATO has to “bolster our frontline allies in Poland, in Romania and in Baltic states” while also “meet the threat of its southern flank,” Obama urged members of the alliance to increase their defense capacities.
“That’s why every NATO member should be contributing its full share of two percent of GDP towards our common security. Something that doesn’t always happen,” he says.
Obama’s host country and Europe’s economic heavyweight Germany has been frequently criticized for spending well below the target on defense capabilities.
Obama also announces Monday the US would send up to 250 more military trainers to help fight the Islamic State jihadist group in Syria.
“I have approved the deployment of up 250 additional US personnel in Syria, including special forces,” Obama says in Germany.
“They’re not going to be leading the fight on the ground, but they will be essential in providing the training, in assisting local forces as they continue to drive ISIL back,” he says, using another acronym for IS.
— AFP
US President Barack Obama delivers remarks after touring the Hannover Messe Trade Fair in Hanover, Germany, April 25, 2016. (AFP PHOTO / Jim Watson)
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