City
Epaper

Trump to attend NATO leaders meeting in London

By IANS | Updated: November 16, 2019 08:10 IST

The White House said US President Donald Trump is to visit London for a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Leaders Meeting in December, at a time when the bloc's future and unity come under question.

Open in App

Trump will use the visit, scheduled between December 2 and 4, to review the alliance's burden sharing process, as well as calling on his counterparts to bolster their readiness, especially in the fields of cyberspace, infrastructure, telecommunications and anti-terrorism, according to the statement released on Friday, Xinhua news agency reported.

The visit comes as tension between NATO's member states becomes more public, most notably on the issue of burden-sharing, which pitted the United States and European members against each other.

Trump has repeatedly called for Europe to beef up its defence spending to meet the 2 percent of GDP threshold, while Europe is questioning U.S. commitment to Europe.

In a recent scathing attack, French President Emmanuel Macron said NATO is undergoing "brain death," triggering a backlash from Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

After meeting with Trump in the White House Thursday, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg sought to downplay questions from the press about the bloc's future. "Despite differences, we are able to unite around our core cause, which is to defend and protect each other," he said.

NATO was formed in 1949 by 12 countries and over the years expanded to include 29 member countries, with the latest addition being Montenegro in 2017.

Trump's visit will also feature a reception hosted by Queen Elizabeth II.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: NatoeuropeEmmanuel MacronTayyip Erdogan
Open in App

Related Stories

InternationalRare Total Solar Eclipse to Darken Skies Over Europe, Africa & Middle East on August 2, 2027

International‘This Might Hit You Hard’: NATO Chief Mark Rutte's Warning to India, China, and Brazil Over Russia Ties Amid Ukraine War

MumbaiMumbai: Travel Agent Arrested for Duping Freelance Tour Managers of Rs 7.28 Lakh With Fake Job Promises to Europe and Dubai

Social ViralToday’s Google Googly: Where Did the Arabic Numerals Originate? Find the Correct Answer Here

EntertainmentAfter Wrapping Aankhon Ki Gustakhiyan, Vikrant Massey to Jet Off to Europe for Family Time

International Realted Stories

InternationalISAM praises UAE President's decree-law establishing National Anti-Narcotics Authority

InternationalEarthquake of magnitude 4.2 hits Myanmar

InternationalPakistan: Karachi to face water shortage amid power cut

InternationalIndian peacekeepers honoured with UN Medals for protecting civilians in South Sudan

InternationalSeaWorld Abu Dhabi enriches marine knowledge, entertainment