403
Sorry!!
Error! We're sorry, but the page you were looking for doesn't exist.
EU Chief Says Europe Must Slash Reliance on External Powers
(MENAFN) In an era defined as perilous and transactional, Europe must seize control of its own security apparatus and slash reliance on external powers, the European Commission president declared Wednesday.
Addressing the European Parliament in Strasbourg before a European Council summit scheduled for Thursday and Friday, Ursula von der Leyen characterized the current international landscape as "dangerous and transactional," marked by wars and rising geopolitical competition.
"The reality of this world means we Europeans must defend ourselves and we must depend on ourselves," she said, stressing that Europe can no longer afford to rely on "outdated assumptions" about global stability.
She added that Europe "cannot afford to let the worldviews define us," noting that although the US national security strategy correctly points out Europe's declining share of global GDP, the United States is "on the same path."
Von der Leyen argued that the EU has already made significant progress on independence, particularly in the energy sector, noting that under the REPowerEU plan, Russian gas imports have fallen from 45% at the start of the war in Ukraine to 13%, coal imports have dropped to zero, and crude oil imports from Russia have declined from 26% to 2%.
"Europe's era of independence must be unstoppable," she added.
Von der Leyen also emphasized the urgency of swift defense and security measures, asserting Europe must possess capabilities to counter contemporary hybrid warfare tactics.
"The bottom line is simple – Europe must be responsible for its own security. This is no longer an option. It is a must," she said.
Von der Leyen said the EU has significantly stepped up defense efforts, enabling up to €800 billion ($937 billion) in investment by 2030, compared with €8 billion invested over the past decade.
She described support for embattled Ukraine as "the most important act of European defense," citing her proposal of two funding options for continued assistance — one based on Russian frozen assets and the other on EU borrowing — and urged EU leaders to take a decision at this week's European Council to secure Ukraine's funding for the next two years.
Addressing the European Parliament in Strasbourg before a European Council summit scheduled for Thursday and Friday, Ursula von der Leyen characterized the current international landscape as "dangerous and transactional," marked by wars and rising geopolitical competition.
"The reality of this world means we Europeans must defend ourselves and we must depend on ourselves," she said, stressing that Europe can no longer afford to rely on "outdated assumptions" about global stability.
She added that Europe "cannot afford to let the worldviews define us," noting that although the US national security strategy correctly points out Europe's declining share of global GDP, the United States is "on the same path."
Von der Leyen argued that the EU has already made significant progress on independence, particularly in the energy sector, noting that under the REPowerEU plan, Russian gas imports have fallen from 45% at the start of the war in Ukraine to 13%, coal imports have dropped to zero, and crude oil imports from Russia have declined from 26% to 2%.
"Europe's era of independence must be unstoppable," she added.
Von der Leyen also emphasized the urgency of swift defense and security measures, asserting Europe must possess capabilities to counter contemporary hybrid warfare tactics.
"The bottom line is simple – Europe must be responsible for its own security. This is no longer an option. It is a must," she said.
Von der Leyen said the EU has significantly stepped up defense efforts, enabling up to €800 billion ($937 billion) in investment by 2030, compared with €8 billion invested over the past decade.
She described support for embattled Ukraine as "the most important act of European defense," citing her proposal of two funding options for continued assistance — one based on Russian frozen assets and the other on EU borrowing — and urged EU leaders to take a decision at this week's European Council to secure Ukraine's funding for the next two years.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept
any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images,
videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright
issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Most popular stories
Market Research
More Story
Comments
No comment