English Section

Poland, France, Estonia urge EU to up defense financing amid security concerns

05.03.2024 13:30
Poland, France and Estonia have jointly called on the European Commission to mobilize new financing for defense projects across the European Union, emphasizing the critical need to bolster the bloc's military and defense capabilities.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay Pixabay License

The call comes ahead of Wednesday's presentation of the EU's new defense strategy.

In their joint letter, seen by the Polish Press Agency (PAP), the three nations underscore the urgency of enhancing Europe's defense preparedness, marking a significant shift in security dynamics.

"The era of the peace dividend is over, and we have entered a decisive decade for European security, which requires us to urgently increase our defense preparedness," the letter stated.

Highlighting the strategic imperative of revitalizing the EU defense industry and augmenting the munitions and combat capabilities of member states, the trio pointed to expert and intelligence assessments that Russia's military forces will eventually be rebuilt.

The enhancement of deterrence measures and the broad preparation to confront security challenges are deemed essential for the continent's stability.

The letter advocates for the swift development of a financing plan dedicated to defense projects, backed by substantial funding, particularly in the lead-up to the next EU budget cycle.

"Inadequate funding now will only mean higher spending later," the three countries warned.

Poland, France and Estonia outlined key objectives for the European defense strategy, including closing gaps in defense investment, bolstering the long-term capacity of the EU defense industry, and ensuring that the armed forces of EU countries are well-equipped to meet emerging threats.

The three nations also argued that the EU could play a pivotal role in financing defense infrastructure projects that are beyond the individual capacities of member states, highlighting air and missile defense capabilities as areas of critical need.

(jh/gs)

Source: PAP