Lloyd J. Austin III Secretary of Defence | Official website
Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder has provided a readout of the meeting between U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and German Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius, which took place at the Pentagon. The meeting served to reaffirm their dedication to the bilateral defense relationship and to the NATO Alliance.
Secretary Austin expressed his gratitude towards Minister Pistorius for Germany's commitment to Ukraine's defense, both in terms of security assistance and leadership within the Ukraine Defense Contact Group.
The upcoming NATO Summit in July and the celebration of 75 years of NATO were also discussed during the meeting, with both parties highlighting the vital role of transatlantic cooperation. They emphasized the need for deepening defense industrial cooperation to strengthen collective defense and interoperability within NATO, as well as unity in addressing today's security challenges. The Secretary commended Germany for reaching the shared NATO commitment to spend at least two percent of Gross Domestic Product on defense this year.
Minister Pistorius mentioned that two German frigates recently departed for the Indo-Pacific, underscoring Germany's focus on this region.
This meeting not only underscores the enduring partnership between these two nations but also their shared commitment to upholding democratic values and ensuring a safe and secure future for both nations.
