An upcoming NATO summit in Warsaw should lead to the alliance beefing up its eastern flank so that “it’s clear it doesn’t pay to attack” member states, Polish President Andrzej Duda said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a meeting in Warsaw with senior security advisors from nine Central and East European countries, Duda said the military presence of NATO in the region must be strengthened.

“To the extent that it is clear it doesn’t pay to provoke, let alone attack, countries of the North Atlantic Alliance. That any military action, aggressive towards the member countries of the alliance, will meet with a strong and effective response from all member states."

Duda added: "If it’s better from the point of view of the modern development of the alliance [for a heightened NATO presence] not to be in the form of permanent bases, but a permanent, rotating presence, then it can be a rotating presence."

Beefing up NATO in Central and Eastern Europe is a key goal for Poland, which considers Russia, its giant neighbour to the east, a major potential threat to its security.

A NATO summit is to take place 8-9 July at the National Stadium in Warsaw, bringing together some 2,500 delegates, including heads of state and government, EU and United Nations leaders.(pk)



Source: PAP