The European Union has increased military spending by more than 30 percent in three years and almost reached NATO's goal of 2 percent of GDP, European Union diplomatic chief Josep Borrell said, speaking on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Washington.

"Over the last three years, the EU's total military spending has increased by more than 30 percent; this year, it will almost reach an average of 2 percent of GDP, amounting to 1.9 percent," Borrell said.

He immediately stipulated that the EU is no longer discussing the creation of its own army or claiming any military autonomy. "It is not an alternative to NATO. There can be no alternatives to NATO in the territorial defense of Europe, but to make NATO stronger and to spread the financial burden," Borre