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Agenda highlights of the informal EU leaders’ retreat, 3 February 2025

03 February

EU leaders will discuss European defence during an informal meeting at the Palais d’Egmont in Brussels.

The Secretary-General of NATO, Mark Rutte, has been invited to a lunch, and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, to a dinner.

European defence

In a security landscape marked by Russia’s war against Ukraine, growing hybrid and cyberattacks on member states and the situation in the Middle East, EU leaders will discuss European defence and how to strengthen defence capabilities.

“Effective defence is a common good benefitting all Europeans” – President António Costa, 13 January 2025

Based on the principles that Europe needs to take greater responsibility for its own defence and that we have a common interest in cooperating more closely at European level, the discussion will focus on the development of defence capabilities, the financing, including mobilising private funding, how best to use EU instruments and the EU budget and additional common options that could be considered, and the strengthening and deepening partnerships.

This discussion will help prepare the next steps towards making Europe a more resilient and more reliable security and defence actor, thereby becoming a stronger transatlantic partner, also in the context of NATO. This will help guide the Commission and the High Representative as they will prepare proposals on the future of European defence. In that context, the leaders will also discuss the link between increased defence investment and the reinforcement of the EU’s overall economic competitiveness and cohesion.

“The goal of strengthening European defence should be taken into account in all relevant Union policies” – President António Costa, 13 January 2025

 

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Details

Date:
03 February
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Venue

Egmont Palace
Place du Petit Sablon / Kleine Zavel 8
Brussels, 1000 Belgium
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Organizer

European Council