NATO rapid response capabilities plan accepted
13.02.2025
- Today we have discussed Alliance capabilites and we have heard very good things. A plan was accepted that will increase rapid response capabilities. (…) This means an increase in the capability to defend, especially NATO’s eastern flank, and particularly Poland, by all the allied forces. In this, allied unity is maintained and stressed. – deputy prime minister – minister of national defence Władysław Kosiniak – Kamysz said during the second day of his visit in Brussels.
On February 13th deputy prime minister W. Kosiniak – Kamysz attended a session of the North Atlantic Council in NATO’s Headquarters in Brussels, where ministers of defence met. During the session, matters of deterrence and defence were discussed, as well as developing NATO defence capabilities and implementing obligations with regards to defence spending increase in the wake of shifting challenges to international security.
- There was another matter which was important to Poland. A few weeks ago prime minister Tusk offered an initiative, first in Stockholm, then in Helsinki – a need to defend the Baltic Sea, which is now confirmed. NATO established a new mission – Baltic Sentry, to which all states contribute, not just those located by the Baltic Sea. It is one of the tangible effects of Poland’s efforts in the last few weeks, during Polish presidency in the European Union. The mission was activated by the Secretary General. Today we have heard a declaration that not only the Baltic states, but also France, Belgium and other allies will take part in protecting critical infrastructure
– deputy prime minister W. Kosiniak – Kamysz said after the meeting
The session was also the first of a number of ministerial meetings preparing the Hague NATO Summit in June.
- Europe has to learn from this lesson – not to replace the United States in Europe and the American troops, because their presence is necessary, but in order to keep them here. This is why spending is being increased. I see a breakthrough, as if we had this discussion a month or two ago, or during the last meeting of NATO ministers of defence, then I don’t think we would have so many declarations and so many actions related to the increasing of defence spending present from so many countries. Our narrative regarding the 5% spending – Poland achieves 4,7% GDP this year – and the yearly increases show that we will not just be an example, not just a role model, but that we will also mobilize other countries. There is no safe Europe without that, no safe world. When it comes to the defence industry – as that was another important matter, even more so during the Polish presidency – we believe that all countries individually, and Europe as a whole, have to invest in it. The white paper which we will publish soon has to concern real spending – 500 bilion euros – and has to be implemented as soon as possible to develop the defence industry. This was met with broad approval
– Polish minister of defence said.
An informal meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council was also held that day, with the Ukrainian minister of defence Rustem Umerov and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas participating.
>>> GALLERY – the head of the ministry of national defence in Brussels.