In a new opinion, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) fully supports the objectives of the European Roadmap on Critical Technologies for Security and Defence, which is particularly timely in view of the war in Ukraine.  

At its July plenary session, the EESC adopted an opinion on the European Roadmap on Critical Technologies for Security and Defence. Hailing the Commission's proposals as a generally good initiative, that is able to act and respond to various crises and geopolitical challenges, the EESC nonetheless stressed that the Commission should invest further in horizontal and vertical synergies between Member States.

First and foremost, the EESC believes that a comprehensive approach that spans the civil-military dividing line and combines the European and national levels should be adopted as quickly as possible. The invasion of Ukraine is a wake-up call, showing us that we need to act much faster than usual.

Moreover, regarding the technical aspects, the opinion suggests that the findings of the Observatory of Critical Technologies (OCT) must be incorporated into roadmaps. The transition between the different phases of the technology and the industrial cycle can only be managed successfully if the ownership of an initiative and the responsibilities are clear.

At the same time, the EESC calls on the Member States to ensure that their immediate responses to Russia's aggression against Ukraine are in line with the content and objectives of the roadmap, which is a long-term endeavour. Short-term national defence investments must be coordinated at European level to avoid increased fragmentation and duplication.

The EESC also proposes setting up an online one-stop-shop for small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups, an online "EU SME corner", where businesses can enter predefined data and in return receive tailor-made information about which European programme(s) could best support them. (ks)