Only investments in the arms industry, the best-equipped national armies and strong alliances will defend peace in Europe, stressed the participants of the European Union safety Forum. As the head of the MON said, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamish, the quickest implementation of the alleged White Paper, i.e. a plan to improve European defence, is needed to build a strong Europe.
– This is simply a key minute for the improvement of our defence capabilities, our resilience and deterrence," said Deputy Prime Minister, National Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in the beginning speech of the European Union safety Forum held present at the Polish Military Museum in Warsaw. The debate was devoted to the programme of the alleged White Paper – a fresh EU plan to improve safety and defencepresented by the European Commission on 19 March.
As the head of the MON stressed, the White Paper is the first specified crucial paper in EU past relating to threats and to the EU strategy, indicating the possible to make and to invest in the arms industry. – We want peace, but it will not defend itself; peace requires strength, courage and investment – Kosiniak-Kamish emphasized.
The Minister besides added that Europe does not presently have the capacity to Manufacture of ammunition and weapons to guarantee her safety. "This is why the White Paper needs to be implemented as rapidly as possible for EU and associate States to act, to implement its strategy and to build a strong Europe, due to the fact that without this it will only stay a large idea, and we want it to be an effective strategy", argued the Deputy Prime Minister.
As Kosiniak-Kamysz said, for him, as the Polish Minister of Defence, 1 of the most crucial decisions was to include in the plans "Hard East" as a strategical defence task for Europe. “This is how we strengthen the east flank of NATO and the EU border,” said the minister. He besides indicated that EU action is for this purpose, To make the Alliance stronger. "These are 2 different but cooperating actors in the field of security," said the head of the MON and added that more arms in Europe are stronger national armies and NATO, while sealing the east EU border is at the same time a better protection of the east flank of the Alliance.
Kosiniak-Kamysz besides stressed that, thanks to the actions described in the White Paper, "we will lead to a situation where no enemy will be able to attack EU countries." – Only forces, investments in the arms industry, purchases and the best-equipped national armies and strong alliances will defend peace – concluded Deputy Prime Minister.
The request to implement the programme of the White Paper as shortly as possible was besides pointed out in his presentation by Andrius Kubilius, EU Commissioner for Defence and Space. “This is our priority, due to the fact that the program itself, without being put into practice, is not adequate to show Putin that we have the strength, determination and armament to argue him,” Lithuanian politicians said.
Kubilius pointed out that the European Union presented a proposal on safety and defence for the first time in its White Paper. As he stressed, at present Ukraine is not only attacked by Russia, Russian hybrid attacks on EU countries are besides ongoing, including on Baltic infrastructure or the east borders of the Union. “Russia is arming itself and producing weapons on a massive scale, so in order to prevent war, we request to strengthen our defence, increase weapons production and defence spending,” said the EU Defence Commissioner.
He mentioned as the main lines of action included in the policy book: supporting and investing in the European defence industry, expanding the mobility of the European armed forces and strengthening the external borders, in peculiar with Russia and Belarus. As an example of the investment that protects the EU, the “Tarcza East” task will address the expanding threats in the region.
At the same time, Kubilius stressed that Poland is the leader of safety in Europe, including by earmarking 4.7% of GDP on defence and expanding its army. “Poland is an example for another EU countries and shows Europe the direction of safety change,” said the EU Commissioner.
The Lithuanian politician besides pointed out that, as announced by Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, the financial support plan for strengthening pan-European defence capabilities allows up to EUR 800 billion to be allocated for this intent in 4 years. This includes EUR 150 billion, which the Union will allocate to loans to associate States to finance arms spending and investment in defence.
Moreover, as Kubilius said, EU members will be able to increase their defence spending to 1.5% of their GDP over 4 years without having to reduce their spending on another objectives, even if this would consequence in exceeding the national budget deficit allowed. According to the European Commission's estimates, if all EU members choose to increase safety spending, this will amount to EUR 650 billion for additional investments.
The EU Defence Commissioner pointed out that the Union supports, coordinates and allocates resources to pro-defence activities, but it is the associate States that are liable for their security. At the same time, NATO remains a military alliance and the EU does not take over its role.
According to Lithuanian policy, 1 of the most crucial demands is besides the continued support of Ukraine by Europe, by expanding military aid, the supply of ammunition, arms, training for Ukrainian soldiers and support the Ukrainian defence industry. “By defending Ukraine, we are besides defending Europe,” Kubilius explained.
Finally, he called for solidarity and unity of Europe in common defence. "By working together, we are stronger, no of our countries will stand up to Russia alone, but together we can do it," the EU Commissioner stressed.
After first speeches, EU country politicians began discussions within 2 closed panels. They mainly discussed the improvement of defence capacity in the EU and its financing.
