President Klaus Iohannis on Monday will participate in the informal meeting on defence issues of European Union leaders, which will take place in Brussels, in which context he will discuss European defence and the transatlantic relationship, informs the Presidential Administration.
According to the same source, the head of state will support, during the discussion, the need for the European Union to assume increased responsibility for its own defence, „in an efficient, credible, responsible manner and in complementarity with NATO, which remains the foundation of Euro-Atlantic security.”
Klaus Iohannis will also highlight the importance of deepening cooperation at the European Union level on defence issues, the economic dimension of defence, the efficient use of financing mechanisms and options, the need to develop the industrial and technological base of European defence, as well as the connection of this field with the competitiveness and overall cohesion of the European Union.
He will also underscore the key role of the transatlantic relationship and global partnerships in increasing the resilience of the European Union at this level.
The discussions of the EU leaders will focus on issues regarding the concrete ways of strengthening defence capabilities at the European level, preparing and substantiating the formal decisions to be taken in the coming period.
Issues regarding the importance of the transatlantic relationship and the Strategic Partnership between the EU and the US, the relationship between the EU and the United Kingdom, the European Union’s defence partnerships, as well as the complementarity between the EU and NATO in the field of security and defence will also be addressed.
The debates also aim to identify some basic principles necessary for the development and adoption of a programmatic document related to the future of European defence – the „White Paper,” which is to be developed in the first part of 2025 by the European Commission. The document will also address the priorities regarding the EU’s defence capabilities, taking into account the necessary support for Ukraine, common defence initiatives and the resources needed for their development.
The meeting’s programme includes, in addition to consultations in the format of member state leaders, the usual exchange of views with the president of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, a meeting with NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte, and a meeting with the prime minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Keir Starmer.
AGERPRES
