Belgium: NATO defence ministers meet for second day of talks

NATO defence ministers began the second day of talks in the alliance’s headquarters in Brussels on Thursday. The delegations have been focusing on the bloc’s security challenges.

“The first figures for defence spending for 2019 are encouraging. We have seen a real change in the recent years. Not just in cash, but also increased investment in capabilities and contributions to NATO’S missions and operations,” said Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary-General.

The first day was dominated by the discussion of Russia’s withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. At the two-day summit, ministers were also expected to focus on NATO’s military spending as well as new technologies and its mission in Afghanistan.