Prikk says Europe has undergone a mental shift

Europe has undergone a mental shift, with countries recognising they need to act differently and more quickly, Estonia’s permanent representative to NATO, Kristjan Prikk, told ERR’s current affairs programme First Studio.

Prikk said NATO is more practical and necessary for its members than it may have been for decades. He dismissed predictions that the alliance is on the verge of breaking up, saying such warnings have been made throughout NATO’s history.

Asked whether NATO is becoming more European, Prikk said he did not favour the term. He said the United States has an interest in maintaining a strong role in the alliance, while European allies need to take on a greater share of responsibility.

Prikk said Europe had not yet changed enough in practical terms. Most NATO members remain some distance from reaching the defence spending target of 5% agreed in The Hague, he said.

He added that political statements made publicly do not necessarily shape work inside NATO headquarters as much as they might appear to. The headquarters brings all allies together under one roof, he said, and there is a strong understanding of their shared purpose.

Prikk said NATO representatives were due to discuss European defence and the alliance’s response to changing circumstances at the headquarters of NATO’s European forces, known as SHAPE.