Ahead of the EU Summit, the European People’s Party (EPP) adopted the “Declaration on European Defence“.

The document stresses the need to strengthen the European Union‘s defence spending, as well as the equal use of the budgetary flexibilities provided for in the Stability and Growth Pact for all member states.

The decision comes at a time of heightened geopolitical challenges, with EPP states stressing the importance of EU defence autonomy and a more effective allocation of resources for Europe’s security.

“The illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine has overturned the post-Cold War security architecture,” the EPP said in its official declaration , noting that, at the same time, developments in the Middle East, by both state and non-state actors, are creating destabilising effects. Moreover, new forms of hybrid threats, such as disinformation and cyber-attacks, are affecting the resilience of European societies, requiring a holistic approach to preparation and response.

In this context, the EPP also pointed to the change in approach of the new US administration, which may reshape its commitment to European security by allocating fewer resources and calling for a greater contribution from European allies within NATO.

Progress, but insufficient

The EPP acknowledged that significant steps have been taken in recent years to build a real European Defence Union, with the party playing a leading role at all levels. At the same time, initiatives such as the European Defence Fund (EDF) have begun to bear fruit, while the European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS) and the EU Defence Industrial Programme (EDIP) can provide the necessary framework for further progress.

However, the EPP warned that existing efforts are not sufficient and that time is running out. “To meet the challenges and lay the foundations for our strategic autonomy, we must decisively address the weaknesses and inefficiencies that remain,” the statement stressed.

Funding European defence

The most complex issue is funding. According to the EPP, various options have been considered, such as activating the escape clause of the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP), redirecting resources from the Cohesion Funds or the Next Generation EU (NGEU) programme, and the possibility of joint borrowing through the EU or a special financing mechanism. The party stressed that we must remain open to these solutions without sacrificing speed in decision-making.

At the same time, it called for the launch of ambitious collective initiatives, such as the development of a European air defence, which would address key security vulnerabilities, boost the European defence industry and strengthen the Union’s overall defence capability.

Three key priorities

The European People’s Party has called on the EU to focus on three key priorities to strengthen defence:

Increase defence spending and set ambitious targets to immediately fill existing gaps.

Tackling the fragmentation in the planning and procurement of military equipment, so that there is greater coherence and coordination between member states.

More efficient allocation of resources, through better interoperability, common standards and full support for the European defence industry, which remains fragmented.

The EPP also reiterated the importance of respecting member states’ commitments to NATO, calling for ensuring that all countries meet the 2% of GDP target for defence spending through their national budgets.

Finally, he called on the European Commission to present immediately a plan to use the flexibilities of the Stability and Growth Pact to allow for a significant increase in national defence spending, while ensuring equal treatment of member states that have already met the 2% target.

“Strengthening European defence is imperative. The EU must act immediately, in cooperation with NATO and the US, to ensure the peace and security of its citizens in an increasingly unstable international environment,” the EPP statement concludes.