Europe must take greater responsibility for its own defence – Petraeus
Former US Army General and CIA director David Petraeus has told an ING event that Europe must take greater responsibility for its own defence and financing.
Speaking at an Orange live client event in Amsterdam this week, General Petraeus said you spend a lot less to prevent war than you do if you end up having to fight it.
“It will require public investment, private capital, and partnerships,” he said.
General Petraeus, who spent 37 years in the US Army before becoming CIA director in 2011 also warned that without strategic coordination, Europe risks inefficiency.
Commenting on the fact that European nations are no longer just debating defence, they are investing in it, he warned that “if it’s not done in a thoughtful manner, you end up with a petting zoo of defence systems that don’t work well together.”
The general was joined on stage by CEO of Thales, the Netherlands, Gerben Edelijn, ING Wholesale Banking head of Risk, Rein Graat, and ING's head of Research, Marieke Blom.
You can watch a full replay of the event here. ING Orange live: financing a secure Europe.