Europe stands at a decisive moment. With authoritarian powers threatening Europe’s security, and foreign interference increasingly targeting our unity and democratic institutions and transatlantic uncertainty emerging, the EU needs to strengthen its capacity to act. Europe’s sovereignty is being challenged from multiple directions — by Russia’s aggression, by China’s strategic pressure, and at times even by actions or rhetoric from long-standing partners. 

Strategic autonomy is not about distancing Europe from its allies. The aim is to build a more resilient Union while simultaneously seeking partnerships with countries that share EU values. It is about ensuring that the Union can defend its interests, protect its citizens, and uphold its democratic values in a world where power is increasingly contested. As the Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU draws to a close this December, it has helped lay important groundwork for advancing Europe’s defence readiness, industrial resilience, and ability to act collectively. The next phase must build on this momentum with political clarity and unity. 

We, the members of the European Movement International (EMI), call on the EU and its Member States to: 

• Promote long-term peace and stability – the EU must ensure it invests in the democracy-building and rule of law components of the CSDP, so that it can strengthen the role it plays in good governance, peacebuilding, and conflict resolution globally;  

• Strengthen collective decision-making – advance reforms that enable Europe to decide and act quickly together, including more agile governance, the extended use of Qualified Majority Voting, and the creation of a European Defence Council to coordinate strategic planning and crisis response;  

• Consolidate progress toward a European Defence Union – fully implement the Defence Readiness Roadmap 2030 and the Preparedness Union through real cooperation to ensure Europe can deter threats, support Ukraine, and defend itself if needed. This is essential for moving towards significant integration establishing true common security & defence beyond mere joint procurement initiatives;  

• Reduce critical dependencies – invest in Europe’s capacity to secure its energy supplies, digital infrastructure, raw materials, critical medicines and key technologies, ensuring that no external actor can undermine European sovereignty;  

• Deepen partnerships rooted in democratic values – renew and strengthen cooperation with transatlantic allies while building balanced global partnerships that enhance Europe’s strategic resilience;  

• Ground autonomy firmly in democracy – ensure that Europe’s pursuit of strategic autonomy goes hand in hand with transparency, parliamentary oversight, citizen engagement, and full respect for the rule of law;  

European strategic autonomy must reinforce Europe’s unity, not fragment it.  Now is the moment to consolidate Europe’s ability to act — in defence of its values, its democracy, and its future.