Unlocking the European Defence Union: Independent and values-based

The EU is now faced with a highly possible scenario that, in reality, it has not had to address since the Second World War: the eventuality of a threat to its territory that it might have to deal with without resorting to the US or even NATO. For the EU to either deter this scenario or, perhaps, effectively face it, it will have to build a credible military capacity. The independence of this capacity from all non-EU factors is key. Otherwise, it will risk its functionality and it will increase the likelihood that it could be held hostage to external leverage, thus jeopardising the EU’s ability to implement its own decisions and protect its values and interests. For the above to materialise, strong political will is essential. The rationale behind the need for this political will should be found in the fundamental values on which the EU was historically constructed: intertwined peace and prosperity for all member states.