Memorandum 2025 on Europen Defence Union / ACTION COMMITTEE FOR THE UNITED STATES OF EUROPE

Rationale

While there is broad recognition of the need for Common European Defence under the current geopolitical environment, including the collapsing of the transatlantic alliance, there is still a lack of political leadership in both fostering it and in defining and implementing a concrete work plan within a short time frame. The main obstacles so far are political fragmentation, an undefined and therefore nonagreed end-goal, a lack of trust among member states, and, more significantly, the lack of political courage to pursue existing initiatives and institutional pathways. The absence so far of genuine political consensus among governments and European institutions on how to move forward is compounded by institutional obstacles (unanimity rule). However, at the same time, Europe is clearly in a transition to develop its strategic sovereignty. The prevailing temptation is to simply increase national military spending within the NATO framework. However, accumulating national defence expenditures does not contribute to a truly European defence. Such an approach does nothing to improve Europe’s standing in power dynamics vis-a-vis Trump´ US, either within or outside NATO. With this Memorandum, the reconstituted Action Committee for the United States of Europe, originally created by Jean Monnet in 1955, aims to stimulate reaching a political solution on such an urgent a critical question with a concrete proposal for a European Defence Union in accordance, and in any event compatible, with the Treaty of Lisbon, in view of the upcoming meeting of the European Council on 6th March, the Plenary of the European Parliament of 10th March, and the publication of the White Paper on Defence on 19th March, 2025. Current circumstances force a change in paradigm, since now collective defence a nuclear deterrence must become an integral part of the EU security and defence framework.

Philippe Laurette President of Association Jean Monnet / Domènec Ruiz Devesa President of the Union of European Federalists and former Member of the European Parliament / Christelle Savall President of the Young European Federalists / Brussels, 5 March 2025

Executive Summary / Memorandum on a European Defence Union

The Action Committee for the USE proposes a European Defence Union As war rages on European eastern borders and transatlantic alliance is in danger, the Action Committee for the USE releases a proposal for a European Defence Union based on the establishment of a European Defence System (EDS), in view of the upcoming meeting of the European Council on 6th March, the Plenary of the European Parliament of 10th March, and the publication of the White Paper on Defence on 19th March, 2025. The EDS consists of the national armies of the Member States and a 28th European Army, coordinated in a common structure. The EDS would be compatible with NATO and could serve as its European Pillar. The proposal calls for : Massive joint defence investment, procurement, and research, as Russia’s military expenditure, calculated in purchasing power parity, has surpassed Europe’s combined defence spending last year Extension of Common Security and Defence Policy missions to territorial defence and security in our immediate neighborhood A Rapid Deployment Capacity of 60.000 soldiers, becoming a 28th European Army, complementary to the 27 national armies in charge of territorial defence Europeanisation of French nuclear capabilities with shared financing from willing EU member states. To finance the EDS, as proposed on 4 March 2025, by the President of the European Commission, we recommend exempting defence investments from the deficit rule calculation of the Stability and Growth Pact, particularly for joint EU projects. We also call for new EU federal bonds backed up by additional own resources, and the use of the digital euro to set up a Defence Bank. A European Defence System can be established by using the available provisions of the Treaty of Lisbon. A concrete progress with a group of willing countries is also possible to prevent a blockade by one or more Member States. A democratic and fiscal reform, including the end of national vetoes in foreign and security policy, should be concluded as soon as possible in accordance with the European Parliament’s proposal of November 2023. A European federation with a Common Defence will preserve national interests inside the EU and protect citizens and Member States against external aggressions. The time is now.

Read the memorandum : Memorandum 2025 on Europen Defence Union