A Belgian MEP says Finland’s civil readiness offers a blueprint for Europe. Lawmakers call for faster creation of an EU defense union.
Europe should take Finland as an example when it comes to defence readiness, says Belgian MEP Hilde Vautmans (Renew) during the presentation of a group of lawmakers advocating the rapid creation of a European Defence Union.
In response to questions about the perception of military risks in Belgium, Vautmans said:
“Minister of Defence Theo Francken, of course, speaks very vividly… This is reminiscent of a modern American style. I think that Europe as a whole should focus more on its security.”
– Hilde Vautmans
She added that previously Europe perceived threats mainly through NATO and its own defence, but there is now a shift: support for the idea of creating a European Army and a Defence Union is growing.
According to her, during the recent Conference on the Future of Europe, citizens reaffirmed the priority of this topic.
Among the factors pushing Europe to strengthen defence, Vautmans attributes the prolonged war Russia is waging against Ukraine and the recent threat from the United States to annex Greenland.
When asked about Belgians’ reaction to the sale of emergency 24-hour food kits in case of a crisis, the deputy noted that there were misunderstandings: whether they are really needed, or whether there are threats that were not anticipated.
The Finnish Example and Defence Readiness
She emphasized that Finland has such a system: every citizen owns the relevant kits, and there is also an extensive network of underground shelters capable of housing the population if needed.
“They are very well prepared, and we have done nothing yet”
– Hilde Vautmans
According to Rasa Juknevičienė, Europe should not wait for Ukraine to join the EU to be sure that Ukraine can help the continent defend itself. She emphasizes that Ukraine must integrate with the EU in the defence sector now.
In the context of the discussion, it is also worth noting that Europe is actively debating strategies for coordinating forces and resources to respond to contemporary threats, and the position of Ukrainian partners makes a meaningful contribution to these processes.