Europe strengthens strategic autonomy and cooperation

Representatives of countries attend a NATO foreign ministers' meeting at the organization's headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, April 3, 2025. (Photo: Xinhua)

The NATO leader's remarks came after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio affirmed that Washington remains committed to maintaining its role as a member of NATO, while calling on allies to increase defense spending to strengthen the military alliance's capabilities.

The European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, also said that the US Secretary of State's re-affirmation of Washington's commitment to NATO was very important, but European countries, for their part, also needed to be stronger.

NATO foreign ministers have been meeting to prepare for a summit in The Hague, Netherlands, in June. The meetings come amid concerns in Europe that the Trump administration is distancing itself from NATO and reducing its commitment to European allies.

They are under increasing pressure to boost their defence capabilities after Mr Trump questioned whether the US – which has guarantored European security since World War II – should continue its central role in NATO.

According to Mr. Trump, Europe must bear the burden of ensuring its own security and NATO countries should increase military spending to 5% of GDP.

Under pressure to strengthen their defense capabilities and increase defense spending, to gradually reduce their dependence on the United States, some of Europe's largest military powers are drawing up plans to take on greater defense responsibility for the continent.

Britain, France, Germany and the Nordic countries are working on proposals to take over defence capabilities over the next 5-10 years. The new parties are currently conducting informal but systematic discussions on the issue, including increased defence spending and improved military capabilities to convince the US to accept a controlled transition.

According to some European officials, even if military spending were to increase immediately, it would take Europe at least 5-10 years to develop the necessary capabilities to replace the US, not to mention nuclear deterrence capabilities.

Following the US's sudden change in policy towards Europe, the UK, France and Italy have confirmed that they have ordered new air defence missiles. The order includes an undisclosed number of new Aster 30 B1 missiles, which will be deployed in the future SAMP/T surface-to-air defence system of France and Italy, as well as naval vessels of all three countries next year.

In the “White Paper” on defense published in mid-March, the European Commission (EC) affirmed the importance of launching a plan to “re-arm Europe” by 2030.

In fact, military spending by the 27 EU member states has increased by more than 31% since 2021, reaching 326 billion euros in 2024, but this spending level is considered insufficient.

With the publication of the “White Paper”, the EC officially outlines the goal of mobilizing 800 billion euros to put European defense on track. The EC wants EU member states to be able to spend up to 1.5% of GDP on military spending over the next four years without violating budget rules on public deficits. This could help mobilize up to 650 billion euros over this period.

In addition, the EC also wants the 27 member states to quickly approve a plan for a 150 billion euro loan to jointly finance procurement and investment in the EU's defense sector.

The EU countries identified a number of priority areas for action at the regional level and in full agreement with NATO, including improving air and missile defence systems, artillery systems, strengthening missiles and ammunition, promoting research, improving drones and anti-drone systems.

The EU's defense investment and procurement efforts to improve its capabilities partly help Europe to be less dependent on the uncertain "security umbrella" from the US, but also to ease Mr. Trump's skepticism about the US security guarantee for the Old Continent, while still maintaining close relations with allies on the other side of the Atlantic.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/chau-au-tang-cuong-tu-chu-chien-luoc-va-hop-tac-post870621.html