Defence funding in the EU

The EESC:

• underscores the urgent need to address the evolving security landscape in Europe through robust and unified defence funding mechanisms. Geopolitical challenges, particularly the Russian aggression against Ukraine, necessitate immediate and strategic investment in defence capabilities, both military and civil preparedness, to safeguard the EU’s fundamental values, peace, security and economic interests;
• stresses that the EU must clearly define its defence policy objectives and strengthen the European pillar of defence, which must link its resources and operational capabilities with NATO. Defence policy is part of the EU’s foreign and security policy, which must promote peace, democracy and human rights on our continent and its geographical environment and in the world, and defend the multilateral institutions of the UN system;
• emphasises the need to find ways to step up EU defence capabilities , in accordance with the Treaty.
• stresses the importance of deepening collaboration between the EU and NATO to ensure a unified approach to defence
• underlines the importance of European NATO members committing to spending at least 2.5% of their GDP on defence,
• stresses that immediate funding priorities should include the development and production of modern defence systems. Strengthening investment in such technologies should commence without delay, even within the current MFF budgetary period;
• stresses that strengthening the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB) is vital for reducing reliance on external suppliers and fostering innovation within the EU;
• advocates the expansion of joint procurement mechanisms, including the European Peace Facility (EPF), to maximise resource efficiency and enhance strategic partnership. Initiatives such as the Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP) and the European Defence Industry Reinforcement through Common Procurement Act (EDIRPA) should be scaled up to address production bottlenecks and operational readiness;
• stresses that partnerships with third countries should be pursued to advance joint efforts in security infrastructure and technological innovation.
• underscores the importance of public-private partnerships as a complementary tool to leverage expertise and resources, accelerating innovation and deployment in critical areas;
• stresses that defence funding should prioritise support for the EU countries on the external borders that are most directly impacted by regional conflicts on the condition that they strictly observe the collective EU and NATO goals and principles;
• highlights the importance of integrating defence funding into broader EU financial mechanisms, including the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), without compromising other critical EU priorities such as cohesion policy, green transition and the European Pillar of Social Rights.
• stresses that public awareness campaigns should be implemented to highlight the vital role of defence funding in ensuring Europe’s peace and security, as well as Europe’s democratic way of life and social cohesion.
• feels that the EU is obliged to establish a common defence policy, in the framework of a common foreign and security policy, to build a strong European Defence Pillar and to take the necessary legislative and financial measures to that end.
• finds that the EU also needs to play an active diplomatic role to achieve a just peace in Ukraine.