If you want peace, prepare for war

The EPP Group wants Europe to be able to defend itself, to protect and also contribute to peace. We need to build a true European Defence Union insists a new EPP Group strategic paper "A Europe that protects: a Europe that stands for true peace, building a true European Defence Union" adopted unanimously on Wednesday by the Members of the EPP Group.

"It goes without saying that for the EPP, defence is a priority and with this strategic paper we indicate how to strengthen European defence", says Andrzej Halicki MEP, EPP Group Vice Chairman in charge of Foreign Affairs who spearheaded the drafting of the document. 

"If you want peace, prepare for war – as the Latin saying goes. In times of increasing global insecurity, the EU's ability to defend itself becomes crucial. We must be ready to meet Russia militarily in six to eight years. It won't be possible without concrete action and political will. The EU, in complementing NATO and together with its Member States, must boost defence production, stock up reserves and continue helping Ukraine to win the war. Our challengers are watching us closely to see if we succeed or if we fail", says Andrius Kubilius MEP, EU Commissioner designate for Defence and Space.

The EPP Group document stresses that Europe needs a true European Single Market for defence, that it has to think big and invest in the defence technology of the future. It points out that Europe needs more defence cooperation and integrated European capabilities as well as more investment, smart regulation and industrial capacity building.

View the full strategic paper here.