Opinion Piece – Strengthening Europe’s Resolve: A Call for Unified Action in Foreign Policy and Defense

Augusto Gonzalez is the Secretary General of YEL and the Head Delegate of the European Union to the Youth 7 2024. He has a background in international relations and foreign policy, having worked and lived in six different countries on four different continents. He holds an M.Sc. in Global Development from the University of Copenhagen and a B.A. in Political Science and South Asian Studies from UC Berkeley. His professional journey includes having served for six years as the Vice President of External Affairs of the Ivy Council, having worked on G20 affairs at the Embassy of Argentina to the United States, as well as politically linked projects across the US, Argentina, Europe, and South Asia.

Strengthening Europe’s Resolve: A Call for Unified Action in Foreign Policy and Defense

In the face of ever-evolving global challenges, Europe stands at a critical juncture where bold and decisive action is imperative to safeguard its security and assert its influence on the world stage. As we navigate through this century’s geopolitical uncertainties and confront new threats, it becomes increasingly apparent that the European Union  must deepen its cooperation in foreign policy and defense to effectively address the complex array of challenges it faces. Without further cooperation and alignment, it risks falling even more behind the times in a world that is no longer as safe as it once was. In order to achieve strategic autonomy, European countries and the EU must pursue a series of politically difficult but necessary steps. 

Expanding EU Cooperation in Foreign Policy and Defense

The EU’s ability to project power and influence in the global arena is contingent upon its unity and cohesion. Fragmented approaches to foreign policy and defense not only undermine Europe’s collective strength but also diminish its capacity to respond effectively to emerging threats. By fostering deeper cooperation in these domains, the EU can leverage its collective resources, expertise, and diplomatic clout to promote stability, advance common interests, and safeguard its sovereignty. A more integrated and coherent foreign policy framework will enable Europe to assert its values and interests with greater assertiveness on the world stage, amplifying its voice in shaping global affairs. The greatest step that the EU can take in this direction is to pass treaty reform that will remove the unanimity requirements in foreign and defense policy. This will ensure that decisions can be taken more swiftly and that one nation cannot block initiatives that most member states wish to achieve. The current set of EU reforms which are working their way through the Council, if adopted, would enshrine this principle into a new EU treaty, but the work on this remains long and complicated. Thus, Europe’s leaders must keep their eye on the ball or risk losing momentum on this vital piece of legislation. 

Urging Greater Support for Ukraine

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine underscores the urgent need for European solidarity and support. Many countries have contributed an exceptional amount, especially relative to the size of their economies. Among these are standout countries such as Estonia, Denmark, and the Czech Republic. However, near the bottom of this list is my native Spain, which has not done anywhere near enough to help Ukraine in the last two years, especially relative to the size of its economy. It is imperative that a country like Spain do far more in helping the Ukrainian cause, whether this be by providing more financial support or more weapons support from its current stockpiles. By providing robust assistance, diplomatic backing, and economic aid to Ukraine, European nations can play a pivotal role in alleviating the humanitarian crisis, bolstering Ukraine’s resilience against external aggression, and upholding the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty. Furthermore, a united stance on Ukraine sends a powerful message of deterrence to revisionist powers and reaffirms Europe’s commitment to international norms and rule-based order. These are all founding principles of the European Union and ones that Europe must fight to preserve come what may. 

Reducing Reliance on the United States

Europe must assert greater autonomy and strategic independence in its defense posture. Over-reliance on external actors, particularly the United States, undermines Europe’s sovereignty and limits its freedom of action. By diversifying its security partnerships and enhancing its own defense capabilities, European countries can mitigate the risks associated with dependence on external allies and become independent actors in their own right. This necessitates a recalibration of the transatlantic relationship, characterized by a more equitable burden-sharing arrangement and a commitment to mutual respect and solidarity. Europe must strive towards strategic autonomy if it aims to have a future and foreign policy independent of that set by Washington and as a way to avoid getting dragged into conflicts that are vital to US but not European interests. The single greatest investment that Europe can make in its future is taking control of its own destiny and ensuring that European policy is made in national capitals and in Brussels, not in Washington DC. 

Increasing Investment in Europe’s Defense Industries

As a means of achieving the previous point, investing in Europe’s indigenous defense industries is not only a matter of economic self-interest but also a strategic imperative for enhancing Europe’s defense capabilities. By fostering innovation, research, and development in defense technology, Europe can reduce its reliance on foreign suppliers and strengthen its industrial base. Moreover, prioritizing domestic procurement promotes job creation, fosters technological sovereignty, and enhances Europe’s resilience in the face of external pressures. By nurturing a robust defense industrial base, Europe can enhance its strategic autonomy and bolster its capacity to respond to evolving security challenges.

Furthermore, defense spending must be treated as a serious component of national security, underpinning Europe’s ability to deter aggression and protect its citizens. All EU members must fulfill their commitments to allocate sufficient resources towards defense, ensuring that collective security is not compromised by budgetary constraints. Yet, it is not enough to spend more if it is not spent wisely. Defense spending should be oriented towards European capabilities and priorities, rather than perpetuating reliance on external suppliers. By investing in defense, Europe invests in its own security and reinforces its position as a credible and capable actor on the global stage.

As a final addition, efforts to streamline defense procurement processes and standardize equipment usage across Europe are essential for reducing redundancies, enhancing interoperability, and maximizing cost-effectiveness. By pooling resources, harmonizing standards, and coordinating procurement strategies, European nations can optimize their defense capabilities and overcome fragmentation in the defense industry. This entails embracing a collaborative approach that transcends national interests and prioritizes collective security objectives. By consolidating defense efforts, Europe can amplify its strategic impact and ensure that its defense investments yield maximum returns.

To sum up, the need for Europe to address foreign, security, and defense matters is more important than ever. The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 highlighted the issues with European defense strategy in the last thirty years and have laid bare for all to see how far behind we have fallen. As such, it is important that European countries finally wake up to the fact that we are responsible for our own defense and that we cannot rely on the generosity of others to defend our own sovereignty. European leaders must wake up to the reality that the liberal world order so dream of in the 1990s is dead and it was laid to rest in the battlefields of eastern Ukraine. From now on, Europe needs to operate in the new world order that has arisen after 2022 and fast, otherwise it risks becoming a paper tiger which falls apart under one blow of air.