China News Agency, Brussels, June 26 (Reporter De Yongjian) After US President Trump announced that he would significantly reduce the number of US troops stationed in Germany, US Defense Secretary Esper "surprise" the NATO headquarters in Brussels on the 26th with European allies Negotiate the plan to reduce the number of US troops stationed in Germany.
Affected by the new coronary pneumonia epidemic, the current high-level meetings are mostly held in video format. Therefore, it was surprising that Esper appeared on the NATO Brussels headquarters on the 26th. From the official pictures released by NATO, it can be seen that both NATO Secretary-General Stoltenberg came to greet the two wearing masks.
According to a press release issued after the North's appointment, Esper discussed with Stoltenberg the issue of US troops in Germany. Stoltenberg said that thanks to the United States for its important contribution to NATO, the United States remains firmly committed to safeguarding European security, and NATO welcomes the consultation between the United States and its allies on the reduction of US troops in Germany.
Stoltenberg also emphasized that the US garrison in Europe is important to Europe, "it is also important to North America, because only we can work together to meet the huge challenges we face."
The press communiqué shows that in addition to the reduction of US troops in Germany, the two also discussed issues such as the outbreak of Russia, Afghanistan, Iraq and the New Coronary Pneumonia. Stoltenberg said that NATO is working hard to respond to the threat posed by the new Russian missiles in a balanced manner and welcomes the arms control dialogue held in Vienna between the United States and Russia this week.
Regarding the new coronary pneumonia epidemic, Stoltenberg said that NATO has formulated an action plan to store medical devices, allocate more funds, and prepare for the possible second wave of the epidemic; he also called on the member countries to continue to increase even if the outbreak occurs Military expenditures ensure that this round of health crisis will not become a "security crisis."
On the 15th of this month, Trump announced that he would reduce the number of US troops stationed in Germany from about 34,500 to 25,000 on the grounds that Germany "arrears" a large amount of NATO military expenditures and spends heavily on importing energy from Russia. According to US media reports, Trump asked the Pentagon to withdraw 9,500 US troops from Germany before September this year, and stipulated that the number of US troops stationed in Germany should not exceed 25,000 under any circumstances. (Finish)