- Title: Merkel says NATO summit successful, but facing challenges from Russia and China
- Date: 14th June 2021
- Summary: BRUSSELS, BELGIUM (JUNE 14, 2021) (CORONAPOOL) GERMAN CHANCELLOR ANGELA MERKEL ARRIVING FOR NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN CHANCELLOR ANGELA MERKEL, SAYING: "The NATO summit is over. It was an important summit, I think. For one because we have been able to start a new chapter with the new U.S. President Joe Biden." WHITE FLASH (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN CHANCELLOR ANGELA MERKEL, SAYING: "Of course NATO can only function as an important and unique Transatlantic alliance if we not only agree on our mutual values, but each of us makes our contribution, and for Germany that means not only acknowledging the NATO goals and agreements but fulfilling the 2% goal, and I want to emphasise that!" WHITE FLASH (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN CHANCELLOR ANGELA MERKEL, SAYING: "And this changing security situation was mentioned several times today and has to do with the fact that Russia, according to the representatives that were here today, sees NATO, not as a partner but as an adversary, which I think is a great pity more than 20 years after the Cold War ended." WHITE FLASH (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN CHANCELLOR ANGELA MERKEL, SAYING: "I will say that what emerged very clearly from conversations today is that of the challenges, Russia poses a big challenge." WHITE FLASH (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN CHANCELLOR ANGELA MERKEL, SAYING: "When you look at the cooperation between Russia and China one can't just negate China, But I also think we shouldn't overrate it, we just need to find the right balance. China is our rival in many questions but also our partner in many aspects, which we made clear yesterday at the G7. And for me it is very important that we keep offering political dialogues and discourse, much like we do with Russia, to try and find solutions. But where there is a threat and these do exist in the hybrid area, then NATO needs to be prepared." WHITE FLASH END OF NEWS CONFERENCE
- Embargoed: 28th June 2021 16:53
- Keywords: German Chancellor Angela Merkel NATO summit
- Location: BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
- City: BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
- Country: Belgium
- Topics: Europe,NATO,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001EHDI24N
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: EDIT CONTAINS WHITE FLASHES
Russia poses one of the biggest challenges for the leaders of NATO countries, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Monday (June 14).
"I will say that what emerged very clearly from conversations today is that of the challenges, Russia poses a big challenge," Merkel said.
"The changing security situation was mentioned several times today and has to do with the fact that Russia, according to the representatives that were here today, sees NATO, not as a partner but as an adversary, which I think is a great pity more than 20 years after the Cold War ended."
NATO also needs find the right balance in handling China, neither underestimating nor overrating the country, Merkel said after the summit of the military alliance in Brussels.
"If you look at the cooperation between Russia and China, you cannot simply ignore China," Merkel told reporters. "But one must not overrate it, either - we need to find the right balance."
Merkel also reiterated her pleasure at new wind brought to EU-U.S. dialogue since Joe Biden's election, whilst pledging that Germany would live up to its contributions.
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