EU must take responsibility of its own security

Today, the European Parliament is expected to adopt a resolution on the white paper on the future of European defence and to underline the EU’s unwavering support for Ukraine. The Greens/EFA Group welcomes initiatives such as ReArm Europe, but insists on EU member states finally working closer together on security and defence. EU countries should pool parts of their defence budgets and procure jointly to deliver additional support to Ukraine and expand Europe’s conventional capabilities.

Reinier van Lanschot, Volt MEP in the Greens/EFA Group and shadow rapporteur on the white paper, comments:

"The need for urgent defence investments is high. The EU must show leadership and take responsibility for its own freedom and security. And defense and security go beyond just arms and ammunition - they include cybersecurity, energy independence and investments in European infrastructure, which needs to be improved for military transports.

“It is good that we finally have concrete proposals. We do need to keep two things in mind: the European Parliament should be involved, because the only directly elected body of the EU can not be bypassed on these important decisions. And we need to invest European. If we do more of what we have been doing, 27 uncoordinated actions, we will not create security. For that we need to buy together and invest in European strategic enablers."

Villy Søvndal, Greens/EFA MEP and shadow rapporteur on the resolution on continuing the unwavering EU support for Ukraine, comments:

"We see a fractured world, in which autocrats are trying to interfere with democratic processes. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that we continue to apply pressure on Russia. We should never discount the fact that Ukraine acts as the frontline for Europe in this regard. It is more true than ever that we must stand by Ukraine in its fight for freedom and sovereignty."