The New ‘Europe of Security’: Elements for a European White Paper on Security and Defence

Abstract:

With the Estonian Presidency of the EU Council from July until December 2017, the main topics will be digitalization and 'a safe and secure Europe'. The Council Presiden­cy will, therefore, be tackling Europe’s major challenges. At the same time, it can make use of a wide-open window of opportunity, since the governments of the EU Mem­ber States are more willing than ever to consider deepening European foreign and security policy.

The issue of security has also been a constant concern for the Commission since the beginning of its term – from President Juncker’s Political Guidelines in July 2014 to his most recent State of the Union Address in September 2016.

Politics and society sup­port a 'Europe of Security' based on three major projects of current European policy: a security union, a defence union and close cooperation between NATO and the EU. When protecting critical infrastructures, i.e. cybersecurity, these projects merge. All three should be given a shared strategic vision in an overarching White Paper.