Source: European Parliament
Priority question for written answer P-001284/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Siegbert Frank Droese (ESN)
The Commission White Paper for European Defence – Readiness 2030 addresses the need to strengthen the European defence industry. As the current conflict between Ukraine and Russia shows, modern warfare is also a question of manpower. However, the White Paper primarily focuses on creating a better regulatory and financial environment for the defence industry. Furthermore, it makes reference to nuclear weapons only in connection with the threat posed by China and Russia – not in terms of Europe’s own deterrence needs. There does not therefore seem to be any notion as to how the strategic plan set out in the White Paper is to help Europe counter the threats posed by these devastating systems.
- 1.Does the Commission consider that joint mobilisation remains the prerogative of NATO, given that the European defence strategy depends on the armed forces of its Member States?
- 2.EUROMIL – the European Organisation of Military Associations and Trade Unions – has called for the introduction of minimum standards for all European armies. Does the Commission regard that as a necessary step towards establishing a common European defence strategy?
- 3.Should the lack of a nuclear strategy in the Commission White Paper be construed as meaning that Europe is still dependent on NATO as regards nuclear deterrence?
Submitted: 27.3.2025