Germany and Baltic states pledge to strengthen European defense
Germany, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania agreed on Friday in Berlin to closer defense cooperation, including industrial procurement and within NATO.
On Friday, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal, and the leaders of Latvia and Lithuania met in Berlin to discuss strengthening European defense. They declared their intention to expand cooperation not only within NATO but also between defense industry companies, as reported by ERR's "Aktuaalne kaamera".
Merz stated that the goal is to make NATO more European while keeping it transatlantic, and emphasized that Europe is significantly increasing investments in its own security.
Michal called for closer defense industry cooperation and more active joint procurement to quickly address military capability gaps. He also underscored that the security of the Baltic region is the security of the entire NATO, and highlighted the threat from their neighbor.
The meeting demonstrates the commitment of the Baltic states and Germany to bolster European defense capabilities together.
