The work of the informal summit of the 27 leaders of the European Union in Copenhagen are underway from noon on Wednesday (1/10). defensive armor of Member States and the reinforcement of Europe’s technological autonomy.
At the heart of the debate, the need to create a more uniform and effective European defense, at a time when geopolitical instability, the war in Ukraine and the challenges in the Mediterranean make the role of union even more critical.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ intervention
The prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakispositioning in the debate to strengthen European defense, he stressed that the protection of Europe can not only be limited to the eastern border, but must also cover the southern borderwhere Greece is at the forefront of dealing with hybrid threats and security challenges.
At the same time, he underlined the role of new technologies in modern warnoting that the EU has to draw appropriate lessons from the war in Ukraine. “We need to get Ukraine’s message,” he said characteristically, referring to the importance of technological superiority in the field.
The need for technological autonomy
According to government sources, the Greek prime minister pointed out that Europe should be found in peak of technological developments in defense, acquiring its own productive feature and investing in innovation.
In this context, he presented the initiatives already taken by Greece, referring to Hellenic Defense Innovation Center (ELKAK)which aspires to act as a hub of research, development and implementation of new technological solutions in the field of defense.
The European Defense Strategy
The debate in Copenhagen is being held at a critical juncture, with 27 pursuing a common gait in the defense industry and a more independent policy towards the Great Powers. OR technological autonomy It is considered a focal element, as Europe does not want to depend fully on third countries for critical defense systems, drones and cutting -edge technologies.
At the same time, the issue of funding of common defense programs and the need for greater cooperation between Member States It is also on the table, with the aim of enhancing the resilience of the union against future threats.
Copenhagen is reminiscent of the morning “region under siege” as the draconian security measures taken in view of the European Union’s informal summit have turned the city into a real fortress.
NATO warships patrol the waters around Denmark, while on the streets of the capital they are located armor and in full development surveillance drones. The tension is reinforced by the fact that ten countries in the alliance are assisted by drones and helicopters, after the incidents with the “mysterious drones” that had even been identified in military airports of Europe, causing concern for possible enemy actions.
At the same time, attention is also focused on the straits of the Channel, where French authorities are investigating his tanker shadowwhich was suspicious and refused to work with the French security forces. His crew was detained, with the Kremlin complaining “provocative actions” from France.
However, President Emmanuel Macron described the incident as “proof of the growing Russian threat”, calling on European partners to accelerate plans for the Ukrainian military support and the reinforcement of European defense.
Recent Russian overflows in European airspacein conjunction with the Channel incident, are expected to be at the center of the discussions, as the 27 leaders process the Road Map for Defense and Defense Industry by 2030.
The Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakisintervening in the conversations, he stressed that Europe must pass “from words to practice”, supporting works defense infrastructure. Made special reference to the need for a anti -missile shield And a “wall” of protection against drones, as the Commission proposes.
Except for Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban, who attempted to downgrade the Russian threatmost leaders appeared united The need for further military and technological support of Ukraine. For Brussels, Ukraine works as much as embankment in Russian aggressionas well as as cohesion test of European Security Strategy.