Marx opposes more Nato spending

The president of Germany’s bishops’ conference has criticised calls for Nato member states to spend more on defence, warning Europe’s security needs will not be met by “military means alone”, writes Jonathan Luxmoore.

“Everyone says we need more weapons – but I say we have to change”, said Cardinal Reinhard Marx, who heads the Brussels-based Commission of European Union Bishops’ Conferences (COMECE). “Security policy relies not just on military measures but also on development. Europe’s peace project is still highly current, and there’s no truly realistic alternative to gathering together and coexisting as Europe’s peoples.”

The cardinal was addressing 180 delegates at an annual assembly of his Munich and Freising diocese in southern Germany, as 800 British troops were deployed with 300 tanks, artillery pieces and military vehicles in Estonia. They were part of a mission with other Nato forces to deter possible Russian aggression against Poland and the Baltic States.

“Greater solidarity is needed in Europe instead of an exaggerated capitalist path,” Marx added.