Strasbourg, 11 March 2025
Member of the European Parliament and Member of the Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE) Željana Zovko delivered a speech on key elements the White paper on the future of European defence should address.
This strategic document will be presented on 19 March by the High Representative/Vice-President and the Commissioner for Defence and Space and aims at strengthening the EU’s defence capabilities and industrial competitiveness.
Zovko highlighted that as a foundation for our approach of European defence, the EU must take into account the security challenges of all member states.
She added that the EU is more opened and comprehensive, including by considering the threats that our borders are facing, be they big or small, and from the East and the South. The borders states on the eastern and southern eastern flank must engage in defence cooperation with enlargement countries that are participating in our CSDP missions and fully align with our CFSP.
Zovko emphasized that by involving enlargement countries’ industries in defence procurement, we will fortify the security of European borders.
She pointed out that all stakeholders should be engaged in building the defence of Europe.
“Only by having stake in our common defence vision will states and citizens embrace these papers that are textbooks for the future defence of our citizens”.
Zovko concluded her speech by welcoming the announcement that US are engaging again to help Ukraine and by commending the progress of the talks between Ukraine and US as encouraging for the transatlantic relation.