This week, the NATO summit is taking place in the Netherlands. An important moment to make agreements with our allies about a stronger joint defense. The world around us is unstable. To face all threats, we need each other. This requires cooperation with allies and significant investments in defense.

Our goal is to raise the NATO standard to 5%, of which 3.5% is for direct defense investments and 1.5% is allocated for defense-related expenditures such as our resilience, cybersecurity, and infrastructure.

Without security, there is no freedom. Therefore, we must invest together with NATO allies in a strong defense. We cannot leave that responsibility solely to America. That is why we have previously taken our responsibility and legally established the NATO standard, so that our armed forces remain strong. Now and in the future.

Without security, there is no freedom. Therefore, we must invest together with our allies in a strong defense. NATO is the best protection for the Netherlands. The alliance is ready for us and vice versa. We cannot leave that responsibility solely to the US. Therefore, we must take responsibility for our security ourselves. In the Netherlands and with Europe.

The NATO summit in The Hague is an opportunity to build further on our security together. We continue to invest in a well-armed military with modern equipment. Not to wage war, but rather to prevent war. To deter hostile countries. To keep Putin at bay.

It is time to accelerate. So that we keep the Netherlands safe and can protect our free way of life.