Central Europe’s Vital Role in Enhancing European Defence

Central Europe’s Role in Strengthening European Defence

Ursula von der Leyen emphasized on Friday that the countries of Central Europe will be pivotal in advancing the European defence sector, coinciding with the anticipated appointment of a dedicated European Commissioner for Defence. “Safeguarding Europe is primarily our responsibility as Europeans. While NATO will continue to be the cornerstone of our collective defence efforts, it is imperative that we establish a much stronger European pillar,” she declared at the GLOBESEC international security conference, which commenced in Prague on the same day.

She further stated, “We Europeans must remain vigilant … It is essential that we perceive our Union as fundamentally a security project.” This gathering boasts approximately 2,000 attendees from over 70 nations, including numerous heads of state, government officials, as well as defence and foreign ministers. The overarching theme for this year’s event is “How to Calm the Storm.”

In her previous remarks, von der Leyen has laid out plans to appoint a fully-fledged EU Commissioner for Defence as she embarks on her second term at the helm of the European Commission. The individual chosen will face the significant challenge of unifying an industry that has historically been fragmented and inconsistent in its growth.

Many experts argue that establishing a cohesive defence industry is essential for bolstering the EU’s burgeoning sector and ensuring the continent’s security, especially in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine and the potential waning of support from the United States.

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