The Commission proposed, in early March, a plan to raise and achieve preparation in defense for 2030. In an exclusive interview, the European commissioner of the sector, Andrius Kubilius, told Euronews that he expects the Member States to use the options proposed instead of issuing a more joint debt.
The European Union (EU) is not yet prepared to emit Eurobonds called to increase the necessary defense capabilities to deter any possible military aggression against the block, said the European Commissioner for Defense and Space, Andrius Kubilius, in an interview with Euronews.
“Euro accessories mean that the European Union will have a greater debt, which will have to be paid again by all member states, and now we have a challenge on how to pay the existing debt,” said former Lithuanian prime minister.
“The preparation to discuss the next multi -annual financial framework (EU long -term budget) show exactly that if we find no other solution, a large part of the next QFP will spend to pay the pandemic debt, “he added.
The long-term budget of the European Union (EU) represents 1% of the GDP of the block (around 1.2 billion euros) and is expected to reimburse the EU debt, resulting from the subsidies granted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, amounts to between 25 and 30 billion euros per year, or up to 20% of the annual budget of the block.
Kubilius said he expected member states to use the instruments and options already proposed under the “rearmar to Europe” plan, now renowned “Preparation 2030”– Since the block has not yet decided how to pay the debt hired by the recovery funds related to the pandemic.
“Whatever the instrument used, loans or obligations (subsidies), in the end, someone will have to pay these amounts, so we should not choose obligations before obtaining these answers,” said the commissioner.
“In the next four years, in an idealistic scenario, Member States will begin to spend 3.5% of GDP, which means that 2.4 billion euros will be spent in defense. The question is: will it cover all the needs or will it be necessary?” He said, he added that they hope to have a clear vision of real needs for June.
In early March, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, presented a plan to mobilize up to 800 billion euros in the next four years, which depends largely on the increase in national state states with the defense.
The five -point plan gives the Budget Space of the Member States to increase their defense expenses by up to 3.5% of GDP (which would result in 650 billion euros) and include proposals to mobilize more private capital, adapt the deadline of the European Investment Bank (BEI) and promote investments related to defense in the common budget.
The remaining 150 billion would
For this instrument, the EU executive is promoting the acquisition of European defense products, with the requirement that at least 65% of the simplest products, such as missiles, small drones and ammunition, will be bought in the EU, EEE and EFTA or Ukraine.
The remaining 35% can be purchased outside these countries and those that sign a security and defense agreement with the block can choose to be included in 65%.
Kubilius said the European industry currently requires much more European investment to develop the block industry as a strategic asset. “That’s why we have very clear requirements,” he said.
“We want to encourage member states to spend more money on European production, with the possibility of establishing association agreements with other countries, such as Great Britain and Canada, which would put these countries at the same level as European countries,” said the Lithuanian commissioner.
For the remaining 650 billion euros of the 800 billion euros plan “Ready 20230”, Member States will be free to import from any country they choose.
ADVERTISINGDefense expenses should only include … defense
The EU is trying to give its member states more margin of tax maneuver to increase defense expenses, but first, they have to agree on what counts as defense expenses.
Until now, the definition has been very restricted, mainly referring to tanks, airplanes and weapons, and excluding, for example, the training costs, hiring and payment of equipment.
In recent weeks, countries such as Spain and Italy have argued that the definition must be extended to include expenses with the fight against terrorism, climate change and other investments in security matters.
“The Threats that weigh on southern Europe are slightly different Against Terrorism, Mediterranean Safety, Satellite Connections, Quantum Computing, artificial Intelligence and Their Il Implications for Their Il Implications for the Implications for the Implications for the Implications for National Security, “Said the Spanish Prime Minister last week in Brussels.
ADVERTISINGThe defense commissioner declared that it is actually necessary to increase preparation expenses, climate change, etc., but that they must be done separately from defense expenses.
“We need to fight climate change. We need to fight for social protection, which is also very important, but let’s work for work. Defense is a defense,” Kubilius said.
The NATO reviews and several other EU countries suggest that Russia will be ready to attack one of the member states within three to ten years.
Currently, Russia produces much more than Europe, with a Russian defense production, only in 2024, estimated at 1550 tanks, 5700 armored vehicles and 450 artillery pieces of all kinds.
ADVERTISING“To dissuade the possibility of aggression, we need to produce real weapons, but once again, this should not be seen as a kind of competition with other tasks,” he concluded.
