Germany clarifies that it has indeed invited Spain to join the European missile shield

The German government has clarified that it has indeed invited Spain to join the anti-missile shield that 15 European countries have agreed to strengthen continental security, contrary to the version maintained this week by the Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles.

A spokesman of the German Ministry of Defense has affirmed to Europa Press that “of course” Spain has an express invitation and that, in fact, the Spanish authorities already participated in a debate at expert level held in August on this project.

On Thursday, 15 European countries sealed a commitment to develop an initiative for a joint air defense system. In addition to Germany, this bloc includes Finland, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovakia, Slovenia, Romania and the United Kingdom.

Robles said Thursday on the sidelines of the NATO ministers’ meeting in Brussels that it is “a decision by Germany that is discussed unilaterally.” “We understand that our participation in the NATO missile shield is the appropriate one without prejudice to the fact that, if there were an express request, which has not been made to us, we would meet it,” he said.