| Author (Corporate) | European Commission: DG Communication |
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| Series Title | Press Release |
| Series Details | IP/17/1516 (07.06.17) |
| Publication Date | 07/06/2017 |
| Content Type | News |
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Background On 1 March 2017 the European Commission presented a White Paper on the Future of Europe, which formed the Commission's contribution to the debate and reflection leading up to the Rome Summit of 25 March 2017Rome Summit of 25 March 2017 marking the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Treaties of Rome. The White Paper was part of a process involving all the EU Institutions and wider civil society and stakeholders to decide how the European Union of twenty seven member states should develop. The European Commission said it would further contribute to the debate in the months to come with a series of reflection papers. The paper published on the 7 June 2017, which opened a public debate on the future direction of defence in an EU of 27, was the fourth of these reflection papers.On 7 June 2017 the European Commission opened a public debate on the future direction of defence in an EU of 27 by issuing a reflection paper on the future of European Defence. It addressed the growing security and defence threats facing Europe and how to enhance Europe's own abilities in defence by 2025. The Reflection Paper outlined the main trends and challenges that would shape the future of the security and defence of the EU27 and set out options in three different scenarios for moving towards a Security and Defence Union. While not mutually exclusive, these scenarios were underpinned by different levels of ambition for the EU in doing things together in this field. The three different scenarios were: + Security and Defence Cooperation: the EU27 Member States would cooperate on security and defence more frequently, on a largely voluntary basis, depending on ad-hoc decisions when need arises, and rely on initial economies of scale. + Shared Security and Defence: the EU27 Member States would move towards shared security and defence, showing greater financial and operational solidarity and would enhance their ability to project military power, fully engaging in external crisis management and building partners' security and defence capacities. Considerable economies of scale in the defence market at European scale would be in place, with favourable financing conditions across the defence supply chain. + Common Defence and Security: the EU27 Member States would deepen cooperation and integration towards a common defence and security. Solidarity and mutual assistance would become the norm, underpinned by a certain level of integration of Member States' defence forces. Member States would have more efficient defence spending through more economies of scale, specialisation, sharing of expensive military assets and technological innovation aimed at reducing defence costs, and would be better equipped to face international competition. Enhancing European security was a must. Member States would be in the driving seat, defining and implementing the European level of ambition with the support of EU institutions. Looking towards the future, they would decide the path they want to take and the speed they want to go at to protect its citizens. Published on the same day was a related paper: |
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| Source Link | Link to Main Source http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-17-1516_en.htm |
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| Subject Categories | Business and Industry, Culture, Education and Research, Security and Defence |
| Countries / Regions | Europe |
