A challenge for the Single Market: a European defence policy well balanced with the needs of citizens

Key points

The EESC:

• reiterates that the strengthening of the EU’s defensive capacities must be implemented in accordance with its fundamental values, with a focus on the well-being of the public;
• believes that the EU should adopt a common defence policy as part of a shared foreign and security policy, and build a strong European defence pillar, going beyond national models;
• calls for an integrated approach to European security, covering also the social, industrial, environmental and health aspects, relying on strong public systems and the trust of the public;
• stresses the urgent need to promote a common European industrial policy that enhances industrial competitiveness while respecting the principles of transparency, efficiency and sustainability. It also calls for specific common funding instruments to be adopted;
• recommends that defence investment strengthen the European defence technological and industrial base, actively involving the social partners and small and medium-sized enterprises. It is essential to promote skilled employment and prevent harmful dumping or offshoring practice;
• considers it essential to ensure proper coordination between EU funding instruments and the EU fiscal framework, allowing strategic investments, including those in the defence sector, to be excluded from deficit calculations;
• calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure full transparency on the origin, destination and governance of defence funds;
• would like to see the establishment of an inter-institutional observatory for integrated security (involving the EESC, the CoR, the Commission and the Parliament) to monitor the impact of European defence policies at local level and the perception of the trust by the public.

For more information, please contact the INT Section Secretariat