Europe Must Take Responsibility for Its Own Defence: EU, NATO, and UK to Discuss Military Cooperation and Funding

The European Union has invited the heads of its member states to a meeting in Belgium on 3 February to discuss common defence policy. This will take place two weeks after Donald Trump returns to the US presidency.

‘Europe must take greater responsibility for its own defence,’ wrote European Council President Antonio Costa, sending invitations to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

He added that peace in Europe depends on Ukraine achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace. According to Costa, this geopolitical context, which is also marked by the situation in the Middle East, will remain challenging in the near future.

 The purpose of this meeting is to prepare the ground for the decisions we will have to take and to provide guidance to the Commission and the High Representative as they prepare a white paper on the future of European defence, covering common defence initiatives and the resources needed to develop them. As set out in the Leaders' Agenda, my aim is to return to the topic of defence at the European Council in June 2025.               

Costa proposes to base the discussion on two main principles.

First, Europe must take greater responsibility for its own defence. It needs to become a more resilient, effective, autonomous and reliable actor in security and defence. In doing so, it will also become a stronger transatlantic partner, including in the context of NATO, with full respect for the security and defence policies of individual member states and taking into account the security and defence interests of all member states.

Second, member states will always be responsible for their own armed forces. 

‘At the same time, we have a common interest in closer cooperation at European level to maximise economies of scale and reduce costs, guarantee interoperability, ensure stable and long-term demand - to provide greater predictability to our industry - and prevent duplication,’ Costa said.

‘The level of investment, including in research and development, required to strengthen our capabilities is beyond the means of individual member states acting alone. Furthermore, effective defence is a ‘common good’ that benefits all Europeans.

Increased investment in defence should also contribute to strengthening the overall economic competitiveness and cohesion of the European Union through an industrial sector that is able to develop its technological excellence across the European Union and contribute to job creation. The goal of strengthening European defence should be mainstreamed into all relevant Union policies.