Renew Europe called to include prosperity and freedoms as key priorities of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union to enable Europe’s leadership of a free world in all its dimensions.
During a Plenary debate on the topic held in Strasbourg on 22 January, the Polish government highlighted security as a cornerstone of its mandate which started on 1 January and will run through the end of June 2025.
While fully endorsing the needed emphasis on security, Renew Europe called for a more integrated market for defence products, which would lead to greater economies of scale, lower prices and more defence readiness. It is essential for the EU to switch from being a security consumer to a security provider.
“Building a competitive, diversified and resilient EU economy is more important than ever. Neither the US, nor China are waiting for us. EU has to get back on track in the global game by boosting economic competitiveness, fostering innovation, making strategic investments and securing the overdue completion of the single market,” said Renew Europe President Valérie Hayer MEP.
“A serious defence budget is key and our industry's support needs are enormous. The funds in the EU budget as it stands are insufficient. We need a fiscal response to the tune of the American IRA: without that level of commitment, Europe will not win the global race,” added Michał Kobosko MEP.