Luxembourg Participates in NATO Summit as Allies Endorse New Defence Investment Plan

From Tuesday 24 to Wednesday 25 June 2025, the Luxembourg delegation, including Prime Minister Luc Frieden, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs and Foreign Trade, Xavier Bettel, and Minister of Defence, Yuriko Backes, took part in the NATO Summit in The Hague.

In response to ongoing security threats, including Russia’s continued war of aggression in Ukraine, the 32 NATO Allies agreed on a new and ambitious defence investment plan, according to Luxembourg's Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade. By 2035, member states have committed by consensus to allocating 3.5% to essential defence needs and 1.5% to civil security.

This commitment will enable Allies to meet capability targets under NATO’s defence planning process and to maintain the forces required for collective defence and deterrence, while also strengthening national resilience. The timeline provides the necessary flexibility and respects the sovereignty of member states. A review of the targets by the end of the decade is planned to account for technological and geopolitical developments.

In this context, Prime Minister Luc Frieden stated: “Ensuring our common security is essential to maintaining our peace, our freedom and our way of life. Today’s decision, supported by all Allies, will need to be implemented flexibly and at a gradual pace over the coming decade. It is about strengthening our security while also generating economic and social benefits for Luxembourg’s citizens and businesses,” as reported by ministry.

The ministry noted, during the working dinner of the NATO-Ukraine Council as part of the foreign ministers' session, Minister Bettel stated: “What is happening in Ukraine directly affects the security of our continent and the protection of our citizens. This is not a distant crisis; it is a war in Europe. Our support is driven by a shared interest: defending Ukraine means defending the fundamental principles that ensure our own peace and prosperity.”

“Increasing our defence effort is an investment in our security. It involves targeted investment in high-value capabilities, making use of the respective strengths of the Allies. This is how the European pillar of NATO is strengthened,” said Minister Backes during the NATO defence ministers’ dinner.

UPDATED to correct the date.