U.S. defence chief says NATO is "fundamental bedrock"
BRUSSELS, Feb 15 (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Wednesday that the NATO military alliance was central to ties between America and Europe and was important for the United States.
"The alliance remains a fundamental bedrock for the United States and for all the transatlantic community," Mattis told reporters before a meeting of NATO defence ministers in Brussels.
"As President Trump has stated, he had strong support for NATO," Mattis said, also pressing allies in Europe to increase defence spending. (Reporting by Robin Emmott and Phil Stewart; editing by Robert-Jan Bartunek)