German Chancellor Angela Merkel believes that the NATO strengthening should go parallel to the strengthening of the defense capabilities of the EU. 

Her remarks came during the second day of the virtual EU summit, German government spokesperson Steffen Seibert told reporters on Friday.

The Chancellor spoke in favor of strengthening the transatlantic alliance while strengthening European defense capabilities, Seibert said. According to Merkel, they complement each other. The head of government spoke in favor of structured cooperation between the EU and NATO, the EU, and the United States.