European Security Policy for a Strong Defence
It is crucial that the European Union moves quickly and collectively towards a Defence Union, creates a robust military structure for this purpose, and jointly purchases and maintains capabilities. In doing so, it is necessary for all member states to put European interests first with a bit of altruism. The fragmented industry can be made more effective by concentrating it in technology clusters, and financing for the expansion of capacities and companies can be better realised with European financial guarantees instead of Eurobonds.
 |
| Picture; AI generated |
The exclusion of European countries in recent peace negotiations and the statements of US Vice President Vance during the Munich Security Conference have underlined the need for a stronger European defence policy. The voice of the European Union is now often incoherent and difficult to hear because it does not act collectively, especially in the light of the changing relationship with the USA.
Europe urgently needs to take responsibility for its own security and stability. The fragmented European defence structure limits our effectiveness and hinders strategic autonomy. The fall of Kabul in 2021 and the Russian actions in Crimea in 2014 showed that without American coordination, Europe could not react quickly and in a coordinated manner. This underlines the need for a joint, robust military structure, with which we can scale up quickly. If a peace deal is reached for Ukraine, there will likely be an immediate need for scaling up.
A European Defence Union (EDU) is essential for a faster and more effective crisis response. Successful examples such as NATO AWACS and IAMD at Ramstein show that joint structures lead to more efficiency. It is irresponsible to wait any longer with the implementation of an EDU in the field of deployment, acquisition and maintenance, which the European Commission is now working on, but the EDU is also needed for deployment in missions.
In order to be able to operate truly independently, Europe must have a strong defence industry that can supply all the necessary resources. The fragmentation of the European defence industry and the dependence on third nations, such as the US and Israel, is an obstacle to strategic autonomy. Industry clusters focused on specific technologies such as cyber security, shipbuilding or aviation would strengthen Europe's competitive position and reduce our dependence on non-European technology.
Financing these plans remains a challenge. There are many realistic objections to Eurobonds. As an alternative, the European Commission could provide guarantees for investments from the financial market for the expansion of capacities of the member states and the industry. A system comparable to the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), which is now assigned to InvestEU. This lowers financing costs and stimulates investments without the political complications of joint debts.
The challenges Europe now faces are too large to tackle as separate member states. Although many Europeans value their national sovereignty, we will never achieve the necessary improvements and accelerations as long as 26 or more member states have to reach consensus on every detail. The desire of member states to hold on to control over every facet of security undermines the goal of a safer Europe. National self-interest, often used as starting point, gets in our way. To change that into "European self-interest" requires a certain altruism. Primarily from the large member states.
 |
| Photo: EP |
For quick and far-reaching decisions in Europe's foreign and security
policy, Qualified Majority Voting (QMV) is a minimum requirement for progress.
If it is necessary to amend the Treaty of Lisbon, this must be done with
the greatest urgency. Until then, exceptions can be established - by consensus.
Eurodefense Nederland
Den Haag, 18 feb 2025
AI translated from
the Dutch language
