Germany’s emphasis on the need for a common European defense policy

According to the international group Tasnim news agency, quoted by the German newspaper “De Welt”, Robert Haubeck, Federal Minister of Economy and Vice Chancellor of Germany welcomed the idea of ​​a European Union Defense Commissioner recently presented by the President of the European Commission. Habakkuk said about the defense policy in Europe: “We will only see progress if we put concrete measures on the agenda.” In this way, Robert Habakkuk (Greens) supported the idea of ​​an EU defense commissioner. . Speaking in Berlin on Wednesday, Germany’s vice chancellor said he thought such a function would be the right way to coordinate processes. However, pointing out that this function alone does not shape the European policy, he noted: After all, there is an EU industrial commissioner, but the policy in this field is still national. “We will only see progress if we take concrete measures,” he said of a strongly national defense policy in Europe. He added: Therefore, concrete cooperation in procurement, agreement on production, promoting equal norms, equal standards for certain types of frigates to tanks, and then achieving the largest possible integration in this field is necessary.

Ursula EU Commission President von der Leyen backed the idea of ​​a defense commissioner at the Munich Security Conference in February. This idea has found supporters and opponents in the European Union. The reason for this plan is the situation of the security policy in Europe since the beginning of the Russian war against Ukraine.

“Habek” made these statements after meeting with the representatives of the German defense industry, which are representatives of the chancellor’s office, the ministries of defense and finance, as well as The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also participated in it, he said. The reason for these statements is the current threat situation. The Minister of Economy of Germany said: “When we look at Russia, we see that we must also increase the production of goods that increase the security capability in Germany and Europe.” However, weapons are not ordinary consumer goods and this should be guaranteed in advance.

According to him, here is the issue of security, which this industry needs to increase production.

In another part of his speech, Habak said: The amount that Europe spends on defense is not small. But we don’t always spend money effectively. A common procurement market should be created.

This German minister clearly praised the security and defense industry in Germany and said: This sector is a strong industry as a whole, it is strong in infrastructure, it is strong in research. This industry can really do something.

Haback also said that further meetings should be continued, but he did not want to go into details, citing the sensitivity of the issue. According to him, including financing issues and requirements for dual-purpose goods that can be used for military and civilian purposes, they should be clarified.

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