(L-R) Yuriko Backes, Luxembourg's Minister of Defence; Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of NATO; Credit: MAE

Luxembourg's Directorate of Defence has reported that Defence Minister Yuriko Backes met with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium on Tuesday 4 June 2024.

According to the Defence Directorate, this bilateral meeting was an opportunity for an exchange of views on the security environment and the strengthening of NATO's deterrence and defence posture, one month before the NATO summit in Washington (9-11 July 2024).

Minister Backes announced that Luxembourg Defence is ready to assume its responsibilities and will respect its commitments to achieve the NATO objective of 2% in terms of spending. "Ahead of the Washington summit, I will submit to the Government Council [cabinet] a proposed trajectory for the defence effort with a view to reaching 2%. It will be an ambitious but realistic plan. The concept of solidarity remains a priority for Luxembourg and, as such, we will continue to invest in capacities and projects of common interest, for the benefit of our Alliance," detailed Luxembourg's Minister of Defence.

Regarding Ukraine and Russia's war of aggression, Minister Backes underlined Luxembourg's "unwavering" support for Ukraine. She noted that in 2024, "Luxembourg has for the first time allocated a budget of €70 million specifically dedicated to military assistance for the benefit of Ukraine. This is a strict minimum which is likely to be adapted gradually and according to the needs and requests of Ukraine."

During this meeting, the Secretary General of NATO and Luxembourg's Minister of Defence also had an exchange of views on the defence industrial base. As reported by the Defence Directorate, both spoke in favour of cooperation and joint multinational acquisitions, notably through the Capellen-headquartered NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA). Minister Backes emphasised the importance of respecting the specificities of allies who do not have large defence industries, but whose industries can nevertheless play an important role in the supply chain.

The next meeting of NATO Defence Ministers will take place at the NATO Headquarters on Thursdy 13 and Friday 14 June 2024.