The EU strengthens its own defense capabilities to respond to the U.S. focus on the Indo-Pacific strategy.

EU: As the US Focuses on Indo-Pacific to Counter China, Europe Must Strengthen Its Own Defense Capabilities

AFP, Washington, 21st. The EU Executive Commission's Defense Commissioner, Kuibylius, said today in Washington, USA that as the US focuses on the Indo-Pacific region to counter China, Europe must enhance its own defense capabilities.

According to AFP report, since President Trump returned to the White House in January this year, he has repeatedly urged Europe to shoulder more military expenses. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) last month agreed to increase defense spending.

Former Prime Minister of Lithuania, Kuibylius, said in Washington: "The EU is preparing to take responsibility for its own defense. You (the US) have asked us to do so, and now we are finally taking action."

He also emphasized that in the long run, the US indeed has the right and reason to shift its attention to the Indo-Pacific region to deal with China's rise.

Therefore, Europeans must strengthen their own defense, "which is also what we are doing."

Although the US has recently viewed China as its main military opponent and hopes to transfer more military assets to Asia, the unstable situation in the Middle East often makes the US stretched thin.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1838354690012298/

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