On Friday, Prime Minister Luc Frieden announced that Luxembourg will align its defence spending with the target agreed upon by the other 31 NATO member states, reaffirming the country’s commitment to alliance solidarity. The announcement was made during a press conference following the Council of Ministers meeting on Friday afternoon.
Currently, NATO members are considering a defence spending target of 3–3.5% of GDP. However, the United States has proposed a higher benchmark of 5%, a figure that would represent a significant financial challenge not only for Luxembourg but for many other member states. Reaching such a target would require substantial efforts, and if the final agreement exceeds 3.5%, Luxembourg would not be able to allocate the necessary funds immediately. Instead, investments would need to be phased in over time, with the government aiming to ensure that part of the spending supports the national economy.
Another key topic at Friday morning’s Council of Ministers was next week’s conference in New York, where international leaders will discuss the recognition of a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine. Prime Minister Frieden reaffirmed Luxembourg’s support for this solution and noted that the feasibility of such a proposal would become clearer once discussions begin.
