Germany's SPD says security needs boost but no comment on funding plans

BERLIN, March 3 (Reuters) - Germany's Social Democrats (SPD) said foreign policy and defence must take priority in talks led by their conservative rivals to form a new coalition government but declined to give details on how a ramping-up in defence spending would be financed.

"Europe must become stronger. We need more money for the German armed forces and we also need to look at how we can make progress on security policy issues," said SPD parliamentary leader Lars Klingbeil, adding that the parties' negotiations must be confidential.

Economists advising the parties estimate around 400 billion euros ($415 billion) is needed for the defence fund and 400 billion to 500 billion euros for a separate infrastructure fund, sources told Reuters at the weekend.