Event Summary: The Next Commission’s Priorities from Central European Perspectives
On October 1, 2024, GLOBSEC hosted a high-level conference in Brussels to launch its report titled Pivotal Moment for Europe: Central European Proposals for the Next EU Leadership.
The event began with opening remarks by Wilhelm Molterer, Chairman of the GLOBSEC Board of Directors and former Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister of Austria, followed by a presentation of the report's key findings by the report's lead author, Jozef Bátora, Professor at International Relations Department at Webster Vienna Private University and Department of Political Science at Comenius University of Bratislava. The report outlines Central and Eastern Europe's proposals for the following European Commission's priorities. The conference featured two panel discussions addressing security, competitiveness and resilience in today's turbulent geopolitical and economic landscape.
Panel 1: Towards a Shielded Europe: Strengthening Security and Resilience, Advancing Defence
Moderated by Alena Kudzko, Vice President for Policy and Programming at GLOBSEC, this panel explored the pressing security challenges facing Europe, particularly in defence, cybersecurity, and countering foreign malign influence. Speakers included Rasa Juknevičienė, Member of the European Parliament; Nathalie Loiseau, Member of the European Parliament; Jiří Šedivý, Chief Executive of the European Defence Agency; and Martin Sklenár, Former Minister of Defence of the Slovak Republic and Distinguished Fellow at GLOBSEC. They discussed Central and Eastern Europe's critical role in shaping Europe's security posture in the coming years with the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and security threats posed to the region.
Key takeaways from the panel:
- Historical Parallels and Strategic Unity
The panellists stressed the importance of learning from history, particularly the events of 1938. Europe must act decisively to avoid repeating past mistakes, requiring a united front among EU member states to ensure comprehensive delivery of defence capabilities and readiness to respond to emerging threats. The enlargement process is also part of the picture when it comes to security guarantees. Leaving grey zones on the map of Europe poses a direct threat and can be seen as a sign of indecisiveness by Vladimir Putin.
- Support for Ukraine
There is a strong consensus that the current military support for Ukraine is insufficient. The EU needs to significantly increase its supply of resources, workforce, and strategic aid, emphasizing the necessity of a coordinated European approach to defence. According to various data sources, Russia's military budget for the war in Ukraine has been much higher than what the Western partners provide to Ukraine. In order to bring significant change to the battlefield, this needs to be changed.
- Operational Autonomy and Innovation
The EU must develop its operational autonomy in defence matters, especially in scenarios where NATO or the U.S. might not be involved. Fragmented demand among EU member states leads to inefficient supply chains, making innovation and streamlined cooperation critical for enhancing defence capabilities. With a significantly increased foreign malign influence, the EU should put an emphasis on disinformation defence.
- Financial and Human Resource Challenges
Concerns were raised about the disparity in defence spending between Russia and Europe. Without adequate investment and public commitment to defending European values, Europe risks losing its security advantage. A robust strategy and a consensus among the member states are essential to mobilize resources effectively. At the same time, the level of unity for the support of Ukraine has decreased compared to the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. It is necessary to invest in communication methods to combat the tendencies of division.
Panel 2: Building a Competitive & Resilient Europe in Turbulent Times
This discussion, moderated by Henry Foy, Brussels Bureau Chief at the Financial Times, addressed the EU's economic and energy security, touching upon the defence industry as an important part of the equation. The panel was kicked off by Martin Hojsík, Vice President of the European Parliament, and featured speakers Markus Beyrer, Director General of BusinessEurope; Vladimír Bilčík, Former Member of the European Parliament; Wilhelm Molterer, Chairman of the GLOBSEC Board of Directors and former Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister of Austria; and Guntram Wolff, Professor of Economics at Université Libre de Bruxelles and Senior Fellow at Bruegel.
Key takeaways from the panel:
- Strengthening European Competitiveness
The EU needs to reclaim its position as a global leader by prioritizing competitiveness and innovation. Proposals include looking into an additional level of regulation between the European policies and national policies to enhance economic cooperation and scale economies. The EU needs to evolve to remain competitive in the global marketplace.
- Economic and Defense Implications
Current policies lack the scale necessary for Europe to compete effectively. It is crucial to adopt a forward-looking approach that adapts to changing circumstances rather than clinging to outdated frameworks. While Central Europe shows lower progress as a region, it is important to look for answers with a geostrategic approach.
- Challenges for CEE
There are varied levels of progress among CEE countries. While some nations have successfully capitalized on opportunities, others face significant challenges, such as brain drain. This is especially common in Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria. EU enlargement is vital to addressing these challenges and preventing further economic and geopolitical marginalization.
- Ukraine as a Strategic Partner
Acknowledging Ukraine's potential as a technological and strategic leader within Europe is important. It applies to the hands-on battlefield experience as well as digital and technological progress. Closer cooperation can be mutually beneficial, though fostering this perspective remains challenging in some Western circles.
The conference underscored the urgent need for Europe to adapt to new geopolitical and economic realities. Enhancing defence capabilities, fostering competitiveness, and addressing the specific needs of Central and Eastern Europe are critical steps toward building a secure, resilient, and prosperous future for the EU.