Brussels - The US Defence Secretary, Mr William Cohen, warned yesterday that NATO would become a "relic of the past" if the Europeans set up a competing defence structure while failing to build up their military capabilities.
Mr Cohen delivered the warning in a speech to NATO defence ministers meeting here to work out a way to keep the EU in line with the alliance as it forges a distinct European defence policy.
US support for NATO would continue so long as the Europeans act to build up their military capabilities and pursue open, transparent and non-competitive relations with NATO, Mr Cohen said.