Home › Archive › Articles and Publications › National Convent | The Union and its Defence The impact of geopolitics, transatlantic relations and technological developments on the security of the European continent

National Convent | The Union and its Defence The impact of geopolitics, transatlantic relations and technological developments on the security of the European continent

The European security environment has changed fundamentally over the past decade in response to growing geopolitical risks. Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the growing influence of authoritarian powers such as China and Russia, and escalating tensions in key regions such as the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific are reshaping the way Europe views its security and defence. These challenges are leading to a deepening of defence cooperation within and outside the EU, which includes the development of new policies, structures and initiatives, and cooperation with NATO also underlines the need for strategic alignment between European and transatlantic partners. Written by EUROPEUM Institute researcher Zuzana Krulichová and research associate fellow Tereza Novotná.

Articles and Publications

17. December 2024

Recommendations resulting from the round table of the National Convent on the EU held on November 29, 2024:

1) In the face of continued global instability, esp. The Czech Republic, as well as other EU and NATO member states, should continue to increase their defence spending towards the 3% of GDP threshold.

2) The Czech Republic and other EU Member States should support and expand the capabilities of the European defence industry in order to gradually reduce the EU's overdependence on military production in third countries. It is important to involve the private sector sufficiently in the financing of the defence industry.

3) The Czech Republic should become more actively involved in programmes and processes aimed at deepening the European defence industry. The anticipated White Paper on the future of European defence, to be issued by the new European Commission within its first 100 days, will open up further opportunities in the preparation of which the Czech Republic should actively participate.

4) Given the increasingly key role of the United States in ensuring Europe's security and in the context of the new US administration, it is appropriate for the EU to continue its cooperation with the US in the field of defence and the provision of military equipment. In order to maintain good relations with each other, there is also a need to build a mutually beneficial partnership - for the EU it is crucial to provide military assistance to Ukraine, for the US it is crucial to support China's rebalance in the Indo-Pacific region.

You can read a summary of the roundtable under the PDF button.