Building Security in an Age of Austerity Europe Cannot Afford to Get Out of the Security Business

摘要

We continue to face the effects of the financial crisis. And this years' conference focuses on dealing with a major challenge - how to build security in an age of austerity. Despite signs of a recovery, the effects of the financial crisis will be felt for some time in all our nations. And governments face tough decisions to bring their economies back into balance. As a former Prime Minister, I fully understand this - and I also understand that defence cannot be exempt. But when deciding what to cut, governments need to choose wisely - because if the cuts are too deep we won't be able to defend the security on which our democratic societies and prosperous economies depend. In my remarks I wish to focus on two areas. First, I wish to emphasise how the crisis confronts Europe with some stark choices if it is to remain a credible security actor, and preserve the ability of the transatlantic community to act as one. And second, I want to highlight the importance of what I call Smart Defence - how NATO can help nations to build greater security with fewer resources but more coordination and coherence, so that together we can avoid the financial crisis from becoming a security crisis.