European Union President António Costa emphasized the importance of sourcing military equipment primarily within the EU.
In a recent interview, Costa stated, “In the short term, we need to buy where the weapons we need are available, for example in Europe, the Americas, South Korea, or Japan.” He added, “But in the long term, our investments should flow more strongly into the domestic defense industry.” Costa believes this approach is not only beneficial for the continent’s security but also for society, as it could create jobs and stimulate innovation.
Earlier in March, the 27 EU state and government leaders, led by the President, decided on a massive arms buildup during a meeting in Brussels. They aim to relax the EU’s debt rules for defense investments and review the EU Commission’s proposal to issue 150 billion euros in credits. Some countries, including France, advocate for purchasing new weapons more frequently in Europe and less in the US.
Costa also welcomed the ongoing discussions on a ceasefire in Ukraine, although the EU is not directly involved at this stage. “Our goal is to help Ukraine achieve a comprehensive, fair and lasting peace” the President said. “If the current bilateral talks between the US and Ukraine, or the US and Russia, are the first step in this direction – that’s great.” Costa emphasized that subsequent steps would be necessary to achieve a lasting peace.