German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas and French Foreign Minister Jean Yves Le Drian presented, separately, their vision for NATO reform at the NATO Ministerial Meeting on Wednesday 20 November, following criticism from French President Emmanuel Macron.
The two ministers suggested the creation of a working party, but they plan different compositions.
Mr Maas proposed the creation of a commission of experts chaired by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to strengthen political thinking. "What matters is to make sure that NATO, in the unity as we know it, also goes into the future -- that there are no divisive tendencies within NATO", he said. According to him, "there is a need to strengthen the political arm of NATO" and for "greater political coordination between the partners".
On the other hand, Mr Le Drian suggested the formation of a "small group of eminent persons", of NATO persons, who are "political and independent" to reflect on "the vision the alliance has of its values and aims". This group should provide, by the time of the next summit in early 2021, a "short and political" report to inform the allies on NATO's future.
At the end of the meeting, Mr Stoltenberg said that the German proposal had received the support of many allies, adding that it had "value". On the other hand, he refused to comment on the French proposal. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)