EU top diplomat urges defense budget to be saved amid pandemic

Europe's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell urged EU defense ministers not to cut defense spending because of the coronavirus crisis, as the latter risks trigger security concerns in the years to come.

"The pandemic will be a new threat and will deteriorate our security environment. This will only increase the need for greater security and defense for the European Union", said Mr Borrell on Tuesday May 12, after a videoconference with ministers, which also included the head of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg and officials from the United Nations.

“We need to be better prepared and resilient, for example in cybersecurity or against hybrid threats. These threats include disinformation campaigns, and we have recently seen that they are real threats to European and global security, "he added.

While national leaders across Europe have focused their attention on mitigating the economic impact of the coronavirus crisis, Borrell stressed that "as this crisis also affects our economy, we must obtain the necessary funds for security and defense, both in the United States. members at EU level. "

EU leaders were bogged down in the bloc's long-term budget, the multiannual financial framework (MFF) for 2021-2027, even before the pandemic broke out. Although Member States have not resolved their differences on the allocation and prioritization of EU funds at their last emergency meeting, the European Commission will present its budget proposal updated May 20.

Although advancing Europe's defense capabilities is one of the priority areas on the Commission's agenda, its latest budget proposal envisaged significant reductions in defense spending, mobility military being the area most affected by document no. present.