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NATO chief dismisses Macron nuclear call
MUNICH, Germany, Feb 16, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – The head of NATO on Saturday
dismissed President Emmanuel Macron’s call for a European “strategic
dialogue” about the role of France’s nuclear weapons, saying a “tried and
tested” deterrent was already in place.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that thanks to the US and
Britain’s atomic weapons, Europe was already protected by a longstanding and
effective nuclear umbrella.
While a NATO member, France does not make its atomic weapons available to
the alliance, but in a major speech last week Macron called for dialogue
among EU countries about what role the French nuclear deterrent could play.
Stoltenberg, who last year clashed with Macron over the French leader’s
claims NATO was suffering “brain death” in its geopolitical thinking, gave
his latest suggestion a frosty reception.
“We have to remember that we have a European nuclear deterrent today — 28
allies deliver that every day and it’s not only a promise, but it’s something
that has been there for decades,” Stoltenberg told reporters at the Munich
Security Conference.
“It’s tried and tested, we exercise it, and it’s institutionalised, and it
is the ultimate security guarantee for Europe.”
France is the EU’s only nuclear power after Brexit and Macron has
championed the idea of European “strategic autonomy” — the ability to defend
itself without relying on the US — though he insists on his commitment to
NATO.
Stoltenberg said France was a “highly valued ally” whose nuclear
capabilities contributed to NATO’s overall security.
German Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer welcomed the French
suggestion while insisting it did not mean undermining US nuclear protection.
“If we reinforce Europe, it means above all reinforcing the European pillar
of NATO,” she said.
BSS/AFP/MSY/0833 hrs