BERLIN, Aug 11 (Bernama-dpa) -- German Finance Minister Christian Lindner, the leader of the pro-business Free Democratic Party (FDP), has defended the planned deployment of long-range US missiles in Germany, reported German news agency (dpa).
"Germany has been within range of Russia's nuclear-capable missiles for years. It is, therefore, of paramount importance to us that we establish a balance of deterrence," Lindner told the Funke media group in comments published on Sunday.
On the sidelines of July's NATO summit, it was announced by Berlin and Washington that US Tomahawk cruise missiles with a range that could reach deep into Russia, as well as SM-6 air-defence missiles and newly developed hypersonic weapons, would be moved to Germany from 2026.
The decision caught some in Berlin by surprise.
Several parties, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's own centre-left Social Democrats, have criticised the plan and called for it to be referred to parliament for debate.
Regardless of the outcome of the US presidential election in November, Lindner said the US must remain in Berlin's diplomatic focus.
"I am not resigned to the fact that the trans-Atlantic partnership is weakening," he said. "Even with difficult dialogue partners, we will have to do everything we can to convince the US that engagement in Europe is in its own interests."
-- BERNAMA-dpa
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