Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever (Flemish nationalist N-VA) has said he wants the NATO summit in Ankara to focus on support for Ukraine: "War in Iran has no place at this summit".
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PM De Wever at NATO summit: focus on support for Ukraine, ‘Red card for Russia’
Colin Clapson
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“This is a clear red card for Putin,” the PM noted. “One that cannot be withdrawn” he added, clearly referencing the Balogun controversy ahead of Belgium's World Cup match against the USA, which Belgium won 4-1, eliminating the USA from the tournament. Once again, the Red Devils’ World Cup match found its way into the highest levels of political discourse, although De Wever maintains he has not yet discussed the game with US President Donald J. Trump. “We weren’t at the same table, so we didn’t speak to each other much, but I can tell you that we didn’t discuss it.”
De Wever also praises Belgium’s defence spending, which has risen by 60 per cent compared with the previous year. This means Belgium is the country that has experienced the biggest rise in defence spending in the European Union. “Although we were starting from a low base,” De Wever acknowledges. “But we’ve made good progress.”
According to De Wever, the war in Iran has no place at this NATO summit. “That is not a NATO matter,” said the Prime Minister. “But in any case, I understand we will be discussing it.”
De Wever blasts negative Trump
Earlier PM De Wever noted how regrettable it was that President Donald J. Trump – despite Europe’s many efforts – is once again adopting a negative tone. The US president has voiced his dissatisfaction with NATO allies that he accuses of failing to provide support during the US onslaught on Iran.
“This could have been a positive NATO summit,” PM De Wever noted. “European partners are doing much more; they have increased their spending by an average of 20 per cent, Belgium by as much as 60 per cent. We are now meeting that 2 per cent target; we are on track”.
De Wever does acknowledge, however, that there is still work to be done. “Europe is doing its best to strengthen its industrial base. That is not yet sufficient, but the process has begun and looks promising. These are all very positive developments, but I have come to the conclusion that none of this is making the US happy.”
‘Defeat probably hit Trump hard’
Prime Minister Bart De Wever is worried that the US men’s football team’s defeat against Belgium at the World Cup could have a detrimental effect on the atmosphere at the NATO summit.
“Trump has a reputation for reacting grumpily to things he doesn’t like, and I think this defeat has hit him hard,” says De Wever. The PM is unlikely to bring up the subject of his own accord “because I’m not a football fan”, the premier told VRT News, adding he did not stay up to watch the match either.