Common European Defense

Europe should gradually wean itself off its dependence on NATO for its security by decisively moving forward with the creation of a Common Security and Defense Policy with the following pillars:

• The creation of European armed forces under the democratic control of the European Parliament.

• Protection of the security of all Union citizens, wherever they may be.

• Collective assistance and support for any member state of the Union whose security, territorial integrity, and borders are threatened.

• Joint procurement of equipment, ensuring better prices and more efficient use of resources through transparency.

• The creation of a European Minister of Defense alongside the European Minister of Foreign Affairs to work in collaboration with member states to form a unified foreign policy, based on principles and values, that serves global peace, promotes consensus and peaceful conflict resolution, and fosters global cooperation in addressing the enormous challenges of climate change, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity.

• The establishment of a European system to monitor Foreign Direct Investments (FDI), in order to protect critical strategic infrastructure under European control.

• The creation of a unified Intelligence Service to address hybrid threats, cyberattacks, terrorism, and trafficking networks.

At the same time, Europe must promote peace and defend human rights through the humanitarian aid provided by the Union to third countries (the EU is the largest donor of aid).

Through trade agreements based on principles of sustainability and respect for human rights, Europe should promote both the reduction of trade dependencies and the economic development of third countries.

The creation of a Unified European Development Agency with a budget exceeding €100 billion for official development aid to other countries, aiming to reduce uncontrolled migration.

Support for Ukraine in dealing with the Russian invasion.

The introduction of a new, gradual process for the accession of candidate countries to the EU that is fair, transparent, and rational.

Volt supports a common European defense policy through the creation of a European Ministry of Defense and a European Army. In relation to the current state of affairs, a common European defense would offer:

• Democratic decision-making. European security and defense issues will be decided at the European level, as part of the democratic and parliamentary process and oversight. Behind-the-scenes agreements between national governments regarding the security of European citizens will not be allowed.

• Autonomy of European Security. Europe will become militarily autonomous, and the security of European citizens will not depend on decisions made across the Atlantic or by other alliances outside Europe, such as NATO.

• A Common European Security Policy. European security policy will be determined based on the interests of all European citizens, rather than the local interests of individual countries.