NATO's Joint Declaration at End of Hague Summit

The statement issued by NATO heads of state and government attending the North Atlantic Council meeting in The Hague:

1. We, the heads of state and government of the North Atlantic Alliance, are gathered in The Hague to reaffirm our commitment to NATO, the strongest alliance in history, and to the transatlantic connection. We reaffirm our firm commitment to collective protection, as defined in Article 5 of the Washington Treaty, that an attack on one is an attack on everyone. We remain united and steadfast in our determination to protect one billion of our citizens, protect the alliance and protect our freedom and democracy.

2. United in the face of threats and deep security challenges, particularly the long-term threat presented by Russia for Euro-Atlantic security and the continuing threat of terrorism, the Allies commit to investing 5% of GDP annually in essential defence requirements, as well as in the expenditures related to defence and security by 2035 to secure our individual and collective obligations, in line with Article 3 of the Washington Treaty. Our investments will ensure that we have the forces, capabilities, resources, infrastructure, readiness for war and sustainability needed to prevent and protect in line with our three main tasks of obstruction and protection, prevention and management of crises and co-operative security.

3. Allies agree that this 5% engagement will include two basic categories of defence investments. The Allies will share at least 3.5% of GDP each year given the agreed definition of NATO protection spending by 2035 to secure the sources of key defence requirements and meet NATO's Ability Goals. Allies agree to present annual plans that show a reliable and gradual way to that end. And the Allies will make up 1.5% of GDP each year to protect, among other things, our critical infrastructure, to protect our networks, to ensure our civil preparedness and sustainability, to free our innovation and strengthen our industrial defence base. The coach and balance of spending under this plan will be revised in 2029, in light of the strategic environment and updated skills targets. Allies reaffirm their stable sovereign commitments to offer support to Ukraine, whose security contributes to ours, and, for that purpose, will include direct contributions towards the protection of Ukraine and its defence industry when accounting for the Allies' defence expenses.

4. We reaffirm our common commitment to rapidly expand the industrial co-operation of transatlantic defence and use developing technology and the spirit of innovation to advance our collective security. We will work to eliminate trade barriers to defence among the allies and use our partnerships to promote industrial defence co-operation.

5. We express our appreciation for the generous hospitality offered by the Kingdom of the Netherlands. We look forward to our next meeting in Turkey in 2026, attended by a meeting in Albania. /Periscope/