British Prime Minister reaffirms commitment to supporting NATO and raising defense spending to the required level

London, Sept 9 (KUNA) -- British Prime Minister Andy Burnham reaffirmed on Wednesday his government’s commitment to supporting the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and strengthening its defensive capabilities by raising defense budgets to the required level. During the weekly parliamentary accountability session, Burnham clarified that his government would work to increase the defense budget to 3 percent of annual gross national product by 2030. He noted that the current defense budget stands at 2.7 percent, up from 2.3 percent two years ago, adding that the broader objective of this policy is to reach 3.5 percent by 2035, regardless of which party forms the next government. Burnham stated that appointing former Defense Secretary John Helly as Chancellor of the Exchequer in his current cabinet reflects his firm commitment to strengthening national defense policy and placing national security at the top of priorities, particularly regarding NATO’s role in shared Euro-Atlantic security. (End) M.R.N. / A.M.H.