Comment by Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna on the proposal by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for a joint EU instrument for increased defence spending
Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs
04.03.2025
Comment by Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna on the proposal by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for a joint EU instrument for increased defence spending:
"Today's proposal by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen shows that the European Union is actively working to considerably and urgently increase its contribution to European security.
Von der Leyen's proposal to ease budgetary restraints gives countries the freedom to rapidly raise their defence spending. Estonia has worked hard towards easing restrictions and these efforts have borne fruit. The new loan mechanism to be established with the support of the EU budget (€150 billion) definitely helps. We are looking forward to the details of the proposal and analysing implementation options. This also helps to take Estonia's defence investments to a level that allows us to fill capability gaps more quickly and share the defence financing burden with the rest of Europe. I hope that all EU member states take this opportunity to increase their contribution to our shared security.
However, Von der Leyen's proposal alone is not enough, a joint effort by the EU is needed. To make sure the changes that enable closer cooperation in the EU's defence industry are truly implemented and all countries participate, a joint contribution of the EU is needed, for example, as a shared loan. During the COVID pandemic we also had subsidies and joint actions in addition to loans. We will continue working on this in the EU.
Right now, the most important thing is to focus on increased military aid to Ukraine."
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
