Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, suggested the European Union should streamline its defence strategy.
The German politician, who served as her country’s Defence Minister between 2013 and 2019, shared her desire for more cooperation when it comes to security spending across the bloc.
Speaking to Euronews, Ms Von der Leyen said: “Europe has got stronger, because we all understand how important it is to have a sound security spending and to be able to provide security and defend ourselves.
“Look at the investment in security and defence, last year it was around £239billion (€280bn), this year it is already projected to be £299.59bn (€350bn). There is an increase.
“We have to spend more, we have to spend better, and I think we have to spend in a more ‘European’ way to consolidate our defence industrial base.”
Ms Von der Leyen, who has been the Commission President since December 2019, has navigated the EU throughout the coronavirus pandemic, and may be thinking of an approach similar to the common strategy implemented by Brussels in 2020 for the COVID-19 vaccines procurement and rollout, Euronews wrote. However, the politician hasn’t shared details about what a “more ‘European’ way” would look like.
The Commission will likely present an outline in its European Defence Industry Strategy expected to be presented soon.
Not all countries across the continent have increased their defence spending in equal measure.
Poland’s military expenditure is up to 3.9 percent of its GDP, according to data shared by NATO, while other nations haven’t yet hit the 2 percent target set by the Western alliance.
In her interview, Ms Von der Leyen also stressed Europe needs to be able to stand on its own feet when it comes to defence.
Asked what is needed to keep the continent safe, she replied: “First of all, the alliance of NATO is of utmost importance for the European Union.
“But I think it is also important that we do our own homework, we fulfil our tasks, and therefore we have to invest in our defence capabilities in the EU.”
This comes as the Western world is becoming increasingly worried about Russia launching an attack against another European nation. This week, the Estonian Prime Minister claimed her country had thwarted a “hybrid operation” by Russian operatives.
These remarks also come as European leaders are getting increasingly wary of which consequences an election of Donald Trump as US President in November could have on the continent.
While his criticism of NATO has been known for years, earlier this month Mr Trump sent shockwaves through Europe as he claimed to have told a European leader he would “encourage” Russia to attack members of the alliance who don’t meet its spending target.
