Nato 'more important now than in the Cold War', Angela Merkel says

19:55, 27.11.2019

German Chancellor Angela Merkel launched a spirited defence of Nato on Wednesday in what was widely seen as a public rebuke to French President Emmanuel Macron.

The transatlantic alliance is more important to Europe’s security today than it was at the height of the stand-off with the Soviet Union, Mrs Merkel told the German parliament, as reported by The Telegraph.

“More even than during the Cold War, it is in our own best interests to maintain Nato,” she told MPs. “Europe cannot defend itself.”

Describing Nato as a “bulwark of freedom and peace,” Mrs Merkel said Germany is “particularly indebted to our American friends.”

Her comments were clearly aimed at Mr Macron, who claimed earlier this month that the alliance is “brain dead” and said Europe can no longer rely on the US for its defence.

World

Angela Merkel

Emmanuel Macron

NATO