The upcoming six-month rotating EU presidency of the Council, beginning in January 2025, will focus on energy, defence, and economic security, according to Poland’s Ambassador Agnieszka Bartol. In light of recent global events such as Trump’s presidency, a new EU Commission, and the ongoing war in Ukraine, security in all its dimensions will be the main priority. Warsaw’s presidency aims to work on seven different aspects of security, including external and internal security, competitiveness, food quality, critical medicines, and affordable energy prices.
The Council is expected to make progress on protecting Europe’s borders, cybersecurity, combating foreign interference and disinformation, and boosting the bloc’s defence industry. The EU needs to mobilize an extra €500 billion for defense over the next decade according to a report by Mario Draghi, highlighting the need for increased defense spending. Discussions regarding new financing instruments for defense, such as Eurobonds, remain a sensitive issue for member states.
The EU is set to explore new funding avenues outside the common budget, with a forthcoming White Paper on Defense expected to provide guidance. While the EU budget is crucial, it cannot be the main tool for boosting Europe’s defense capabilities, as global threats like Russia’s Putin are imminent. With the need to address security challenges in Europe and beyond, the upcoming EU presidency will play a critical role in advancing the continent’s security agenda.
Source
Photo credit www.euronews.com