Up to all NATO allies to close gaps no matter spending target, German minister says

ROME (Reuters) - It is up to all NATO members to close gaps in their defences no matter the cost, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Friday, following talks with his European counterparts in Rome.

"It is the task of all NATO states in Europe and beyond to close the capability gaps ... regardless of whether it ends up costing 2.5, 3 or 3.5%," Pistorius told reporters, referring to spending targets based on national GDP.

"The decisive factor is realising these capability goals," he said, adding that Germany together with Poland, Italy, France and Britain - whose ministers were present at the talks - were aware of their responsibility.

The German minister declined to offer a set target in the debate on how much NATO countries should spend on defence.

Currently, NATO asks allies to spend 2% of their GDP on defence. In light of the war in Ukraine and pressure on Europe from U.S. President Donald Trump, there is general consensus that this goal should be higher.

On meeting capability goals, which are to be set at a summit of NATO leaders this summer, Pistorius said, "This will certainly cost more money than 2%. I suspect around 3% or more."

(Reporting by Angelo Amante in Rome, Writing by Rachel More; Editing by Ludwig Burger and Matthias Williams)