On 26 and 27 June, the EU’s heads of state and government will convene for the European Council meeting, with the agenda featuring the Middle East, Ukraine, defence and security, competitiveness, migration and foreign policy.
The challenges we currently face are a stark reminder of the need for closer European collaboration in security and defence. The European Commission has made important proposals in that vein, such as the White Paper for European Defence – Readiness 2030, and the ReArm Europe Plan. However, security cooperation must extend beyond joint procurement and defence spending. In our comprehensive recommendations for a European Defence Community (EDC), we propose that EU leaders, among other things, work towards creating a Unified European Defence System (EDS), enhancing rapid response and military capabilities, establishing a European rearmament bank, reforming EU defence decision-making, and strengthening Europe’s defence industry.
In response to the conflict between Israel and Iran, EU leaders must push for de-escalation and urge the warring parties to uphold the agreed truce. This includes diplomatic engagement and coordination with a US administration that seems to prefer unilateral action. As set out in our recommendations for the EU’s foreign policy under the second Trump administration, while remaining committed to engaging the US as a vital ally, the EU must urgently develop a credible and autonomous defence posture and build greater self-reliance in anticipation of a possible US disengagement from Europe.
With regards to the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, EU leaders must use all political, diplomatic and economic means at their disposal to bring about an immediate ceasefire, the unhindered flow of humanitarian aid and its safe distribution at scale throughout Gaza, the release of all hostages, the holding to account of Hamas for the atrocities of 7 October, as well as the Israeli leadership, following the ICC’s allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Furthermore, the illegal occupation of Palestinian territory must end, the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people must be recognised and negotiations towards lasting peace and a two-state solution must resume. To that end, EU leaders must suspend the EU-Israel Association Agreement, following the European External Action Service’s (EEAS) review of the Agreement, which concludes that Israel is in clear breach of Article 2, which commits signatories to uphold human rights.
With the Middle East conflict drawing international attention away from Ukraine, and with the United States, Ukraine’s largest military backer, scaling back its aid, it is crucial for EU leaders to reaffirm and strengthen their unwavering support for Ukraine in its defence against Russia’s war of aggression. The EU must significantly increase both military and financial assistance, strengthen and renew sanctions against Russia, and take firmer action to prevent sanction circumvention. In order to effectively hit Russia’s economy and pressure it into committing to a real and meaningful truce, EU leaders should work to substantially reduce the price gap for oil and gas. Achieving these goals will require standing up to and overcoming the obstructionism of Prime Ministers Orbán and Fico.
