Defending Our Ground: A Dynamic European Security Council for a Safer Continent
Strengthening a Collective Security Council Among Europe's Active Participants
Let's cut to the chase. It's becoming increasingly apparent that America is stepping away from defending Europe, leaving us to fend for ourselves. While the EU is gearing up financially for defense, it's stuck in a never-ending debate – a holdover from a bygone era that's more for legitimacy than results. We can no longer afford to wait and waste precious time; it's time for a new era of security, starting with a swift and decisive European Security Council.
From the heart of the EU, I see it crystal clear: the endless chatter among the 27 member states is outdated and ineffective when it matters most – our security. We require a European minimum of bureaucratic hoops – and a maximum of determination. The current situation calls for bold and agile action.
Russia is arming, both verbally (as I see in Russian state media) and militarily (as our intelligence services warn of growing aggressiveness by the Kremlin towards the EU). Those who are waiting for contractual changes in Brussels will be too late. We urgently need streamlined security structures working in parallel to our existing setup. At the top sits our strategic command center – a nimble European Security Council.
Three guiding principles will shape this revamped structure:
- A focused Europe: Internally, Europe needs a core group for defense. Not all EU member states have to participate, not all have to agree. The reality of Europe's different speeds calls for it – particularly in defense policy, where it's now essential. We can't allow countries like Hungary, with leadership sympathizing with Putin and systematically undermining the EU, to hold us back.
- An open alliance: Externally, we need an inclusive coalition of the willing. Countries like Britain or Norway should join forces with us, bringing their resources to the table, if they're prepared to stand united. Europe's security doesn't end where the EU's borders do.
- EU anchoring: New formats should not float without connection to existing EU structures like PESCO, EUMS, or INTCEN. We need to utilize synergies instead of creating unnecessary competitions.
Yet, even this restructuring offers little benefit if it's not led effectively. A strategic decision-making center is crucial to our ability to act decisively. While Europe has the strength, we're not putting it to good use. An operational Security Council is vital to making our strength effective.
This operational Security Council would be composed of the President of the European Parliament as a symbol of parliamentary control, two member states with the highest defense spending in absolute and relative terms, and one non-EU state with substantial contributions. Member states would be re-elected every two years by a qualified majority of the members of the will-union.
Such a Council would be a force to be reckoned with, ready to declare a defense emergency when needed, serving as a legal basis for national mobilizations, joint defense measures, and – above all – ensuring European strategic direction. Tough times call for bold moves.adaptive
Sources:- Sergey Lagodinsky, Member of the European Parliament- ntv.de
- EU
- German Defense Policy
- Security Policy
Enrichment Data:There is currently no officially recognized "European Security Council of the Willing," but you may be referring to the "Coalition of the Willing" – a group of countries actively working on European security and the Russo-Ukrainian War. This 31-country coalition is primarily led by the UK and France, and its goal is to strengthen support for Ukraine against Russian aggression. The coalition goes beyond the Ukraine Defense Contact Group by specifically committing to the possibility of deploying a peacekeeping or reassurance force on Ukrainian territory if a peace deal is reached between Ukraine and Russia. Additionally, the coalition is prepared to increase military aid and economic sanctions against Russia if peace negotiations fail. [1][2]
- The European Union, evidently, is planning to bolster its financial resources for defense while engaging in an endless discussion about security matters, a holdover from the past prioritizing legitimacy over results.
- The European Security Council proposed here would react swiftly to the growing threats from Russia, with a focus on streamlined security structures and a nimble operational center.
- The Community and employment policies within the EU should strive to strengthen, as they are crucial for maintaining a stable and united Europe, particularly during turbulent times in global politics and general news.
- A partnership with countries like Britain or Norway, anchored in existing EU structures such as PESCO, EUMS, or INTCEN, is vital for the external alliance in the proposed European Security Council, ensuring that Europe's security extends beyond its borders.
