The sense of urgency is upon us. Geopolitical tensions have risen over the last weeks. Multilateralism is under enormous pressure, and so is the rules-based international order.
Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine entered its third year and the threat it represents has wider implications for Europe and international security.
This is exactly why last week the European Council took fast and ambitious decisions on defence and Ukraine. We are putting our money where our mouth is. We are delivering on what we promised.
Three years ago precisely today, in Versailles, we decided to boost Europe’s defence, to build the Europe of Defence. Three years ago, we laid the foundation of what we decided last week.
Over the last three years, Member States increased their defence spending by 30%. Over the last three years, on average, among the 23 EU Member States that are in NATO for 2024, we reached the NATO target of two percent of GDP.
Now we are going much further. In one month, working hand in hand with the European Commission, we have kick-started the Europe of Defence.
On 3 February, at the informal Leaders’ meeting, with the special participation of the British Prime Minister and the Secretary General of NATO, we opened the way for decisions. Last week, the Commission anticipated some of its proposals on defence financing, which were the basis for European Council’s decisions. In the Special European Council, we decided to invest in the priority areas already defined by the European Defence Agency, reflecting the lessons learnt from the war in Ukraine, and in full coherence with NATO.
Air and missile defence. Artillery systems. Missiles and ammunition. Drones and anti-drone systems. Strategic enablers. Military mobility. Artificial intelligence, cyber and electronic warfare. We have also decided to mobilise more public and private funds for our defence. We welcomed the Commission’s initiative to dedicate 150 billion euros of additional defence spending to funding the capabilities we urgently need.
In addition to the loan instrument proposed by the Commission, Leaders were clear that we need flexibility within the Stability and Growth Pact and the use of European funds will also be important to provide more public money for the defence sector, where Member States decide to do so.
The European Investment Bank initiative to broaden its mandate – for more loans to the defence sector – will improve access to private financing.
Finally, we decided to spend better and more efficiently together. With joint procurement, ensuring standardisation and simplifying permitting and reporting requirements.
Our focus is clear. Next week, the Commission and the High Representative will present the White Paper on Defence and the European Council will continue to take the work forward. To build our deterrence. To strengthen the security of our continent.
Competitiveness and defence must go hand in hand. To boost Europe’s industrial and technological competitiveness. To create jobs, reinforcing economic convergence and the resilience of our values-chains networks.
It is the right way to make the European Union stronger, it is the right way to protect our citizens and our social model.
(pronounced in French)
The efforts we undertake to spend more on European defence will also benefit Ukraine. Ukraine’s security cannot be separated from Europe’s security.
The best security guarantee we can provide is to strengthen Ukraine’s self-defence and to build a credible and robust Europe of Defence.
We have been with Ukraine since day one. We have already provided more than 135 billion euros in support to Ukraine since 2022. And we have now committed to increasing our support even more.
Immediately, member states can increase their support thanks to the increased fiscal space. Several member states have already announced their pledges up to additional 15 billion euros.
Last week, we also tasked the Council to work urgently on further initiatives to address Ukraine’s pressing military and defence needs. At the same time, we are preparing to support Ukraine for when it decides to engage in negotiations, to help it reach a comprehensive, just and lasting peace. And we stand behind Ukraine together with many partners.
On Friday, together with the President of the European Commission and the High Representative, I held a VTC with NATO partners. With the United Kingdom, with Canada, with Türkiye, with Norway, with Iceland.
Right after the special EUCO. With positive reactions from our friends, on our decisions, on our speed. And with our joint commitment and our joint interest to reinforce our cooperation ever more.
We must keep up the speed. At the European Council next week, we will continue the discussions and take more decisions.Also on competitiveness? On European shared prosperity, on European strategic autonomy.
We are all conscious of the urgency of catching on innovation, productivity, investment.
So, restoring Europe’s competitiveness must remain at the top of our agenda. And it will be a key issue at the next European Council.
I will come back to this Parliament to report on our discussions.
(Pronounced In Portuguese)
Today is not just the third anniversary of the Versailles Declaration. It is also the anniversary of the first-ever European Council meeting in March 1975. And my one hundredth day in office.
One hundred days during which it has become clear that the Europe of Defence and the Europe of Shared Prosperity are the priorities in this mandate. They also go hand in hand.
One hundred days during which it has become clear that building Europe’s role in the world is a strategic priority.
Because the current context pushes us to expand our network of partners. An already impressive network. A network we have all it takes to grow. For trade agreements, for development cooperation and for leadership on major global causes such as the Pact for the Future and the fight against climate change.
Because the EU is a reliable, predictable, and attractive partner and many countries are willing to engage with us at all levels. Finally, one hundred days in the spirit of excellent inter-institutional cooperation. Thank you dear Roberta (Metsola), thank you dear Ursula (von der Leyen).
European institutions and Member States must be more united than ever to reinforce the European Union.
To move forward, we need more confidence in ourselves. More trust in our collective power. More unity to face a new geopolitical era.
There is no doubt that we are delivering faster. That the European Union is stronger.
For security, peace and prosperity in Ukraine. For security, peace and prosperity in Europe.
Thank you.
Source – European Council