EU Must Lay ‘Groundwork for Common Defence Interest-Christodoulides

“Defence in the European Union is the sole responsibility of member states,” the president told media on arriving at the informal EU leaders’ retreat at the Palais d’Egmont in Brussels.

But, he went on, “there is a common European [defence] interest, and I think that today we will lay the foundations for the next important steps in enhancing the defence sector.”

He said the summit would feature a “free discussion” on four matters – transatlantic relationships following the election of Donald Trump as president of the United States and the first samples of Trump’s policy, the European Union’s relationship with Nato, relations with the United Kingdom, and defence and security.

Christodoulides spoke of “specific ideas” being discussed, and recalled that Cyprus was among the 19 EU member states recently co-signing a letter calling for policies and investments to boost the bloc’s defence industry – such as direct funding as well as increased lending from the European Investment Bank.

“The large states possess a significant industry, but so do small states like Cyprus. In Cyprus we have developed an important defence industry over the last few years,” the president asserted.

“As an EU member state, we are boosting the defence capabilities of the Republic of Cyprus, its deterrence, as well as upgrading the Andreas Papandreou airbase and the base at Mari, infrastructures which other EU member states also make use of.”

According to the European Council’s agenda highlights for the summit: “In a security landscape marked by Russia’s war against Ukraine, growing hybrid and cyberattacks on member states and the situation in the Middle East, EU leaders will discuss European defence and how to strengthen defence capabilities.”

The discussion in Brussels would focus on the development of defence capabilities; financing, including mobilising private funding; how best to use EU instruments; the EU budget and additional common options that could be considered; and strengthening and deepening partnerships.

Nato Secretary-General Mark Rutte will be attending a lunch on the sidelines of the gathering.

In a speech at the Concert Noble in Brussels in mid-December, Rutte had said: “Ukraine, as we speak, is allocating nearly a quarter of its GDP for defence next year. That is more than 10 times what European Nato allies spend. A harsh reminder that freedom does not come for free.”

He added: “If we don’t spend more together now to prevent war, we will pay a much, much, much higher price later to fight it. Not billions, but trillions of euros. That’s if we come out on top…and that’s if we win.”

Source: Cyprus Mail