European Council meeting focused on defense as a new EU priority
President of the Republic of Lithuania
March 21, 2025
Addressing the European Council on Thursday, President Gitanas Nausėda stressed the need to bolster Europe's defense.
According to the Head of State, the ReArm Europe plan outlined by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is a crucial step in the right direction. The €150 billion defense fund—which allows Member States to borrow—along with the national defense financing clause, will provide a significant boost to the rapid expansion of Europe's defense capabilities.
"We need a completely new approach to defense as the foundation for the EU's long-term stability and prosperity," the President stated, calling on all EU Member States to allocate at least 3% of their GDP to defense. He also emphasized that countries bordering Russia and Belarus require a more balanced approach, where loans are supplemented by grants.
Gitanas Nausėda underscored the importance of effective protection of EU's external borders, particularly in the context of European migration policy, with external forces exploiting irregular migration to create hybrid threats.
Welcoming the white paper on the future of European defense, prepared and presented by European Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius, the Head of State described it as another positive step towards making defense a core EU priority.
The European Council also discussed the role of the European Investment Bank, Cohesion Policy, and the emerging Savings and Investment Union in ensuring the sustainable financing of the EU's defense needs.
The President's Communication Group
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