US reassures European allies

(Baonghean.vn)- Within the framework of the International Security Conference taking place in Munich, Germany, on the afternoon of February 18, US Vice President Mike Pence gave an important speech, expressing the stance of the new US administration on the country's relations with Russia, the European Union (EU), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and a series of other hot issues.

In his first speech at an international forum as US Vice President, Mr. Pence affirmed that Washington will always maintain its commitment to European allies, as well as the commitment of the new President Donald Trump administration to maintaining international cooperative relationships.

US Vice President Mike Pence speaks at the Munich Security Conference on February 18. Photo: Reuters.

Referring to the new administration's foreign policy, the US Vice President emphasized that President Donald Trump's administration will always support NATO and stand side by side with European allies, even as the continent seeks a new direction of cooperation with Russia.

“President Trump asked me to be here today to deliver a message, a reassurance,” the US vice president said. “The United States has always been a strong supporter of NATO and we will always remain steadfast in our strong relationship with this transatlantic alliance.”

However, the US Vice President also warned allies about sharing the burden of costs fairly within this military alliance, noting that many member countries lack “a clear and credible roadmap” to do so.

Regarding relations with Russia, Mr. Pence said the US is considering new ways to cooperate with Russia, but stressed that Moscow needs to respect the Minsk peace agreement on the Ukraine conflict as well as limit actions that escalate tensions in the eastern Ukraine region.

Just before the US Vice President's speech, host country Chancellor Angela Merkel also gave an important speech at the conference, emphasizing the importance of protecting and strengthening existing multilateral structures, including the EU, NATO and the UN. Ms. Merkel warned that the only way to solve global problems is to work together. The German leader's speech was made amid concerns that the foreign policy of the new US President Trump's administration will not focus on cooperation with multilateral forums.

Host country Chancellor Angela Merkel pledged to increase defense spending for NATO by 2024. Photo: Reuters.

Merkel also mentioned the strained relations between Europe and Russia, but acknowledged that both the West and Russia share common interests in the fight against terrorism. The German chancellor expressed her desire to discuss cyber attacks and disinformation with Moscow, especially in the context of upcoming European elections in 2017.

In addition, Ms. Merkel affirmed that Germany will make every effort to meet the NATO military alliance's target of spending 2% of GDP on defense by 2024, as called for by the US.

On the sidelines of the conference, the US Vice President is expected to have bilateral meetings with host country Prime Minister Angela Merkel, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, and leaders of the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania./.

Lan Ha

(According to AFP, Reuters)