It is an investment in a secure Europe. Everyone accepts that at a time of reducing defence budgets, the additional costs have to be seriously considered. But some of the figures that have been quoted by private think tanks are grossly exaggerated, and are based somewhat on mistaken assumptions. We are currently working on a cost-assessment to be agreed by all Allies. Until this assessment is completed, I do not want to engage in the numbers games.
Enlargement is too important a subject to leave to bookkeepers.
In any case, my view is that membership is more about commitment than cost. Applicants will pay their fair share of common costs, but it will not be an undue share. No one wants our new members to put their economic reforms at risk by spending excessive sums on defence. Clearly, the adjustments new members will have to make will be wide-ranging. They will have to continue to modernise their outdated armed forces.