The leaders of the B9 format and the Northern Allies have laid the foundations for the “NATO 3.0” concept, assuming the strengthening of security across the entire eastern flank. The joint statement was signed on Wednesday, during the meeting in Bucharest, reports IPN.

The central concept of the meeting, “NATO 3.0”, aims to promote a stronger Europe within a more robust North Atlantic Alliance, recognizing a continuous strategic security line, from the Black Sea to the Baltic Sea and up to the northern and arctic regions. The leaders emphasized that the transatlantic link remains the backbone of collective security.

In the context where Russia is defined as the most significant and direct long-term threat, the allies have decided to increase burden sharing. A key point of the declaration is the reaffirmation of the commitment to increase defense investments towards a goal of 5% of GDP, a process in which some members have already made progress.

At the same time, the leaders reiterated their support for Ukraine, aid considered an investment in their own security. Simultaneously, they pledged to deepen NATO-EU cooperation and strategic partnerships, including with the Republic of Moldova.

The document was adopted with a note: Hungary chose a constructive abstention, stating that it cannot support the current formulation of the declaration, and any future decision is to be made by the future Government in Budapest. The next meeting of this format will take place in Poland.