The proposal is seen as a strategic step towards bolstering European defence infrastructure and ensuring a coordinated response to potential threats.
Brussels— In a significant move to enhance European security, the prime ministers of Poland and Greece have urged the European Commission to establish a comprehensive air defence system across the European Union. This proposal, underscored by the recent geopolitical tensions and missile incursions into Polish airspace, seeks to unify and strengthen Europe’s air defence capabilities.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced the initiative during an interview with The Global Times Europe. “I sent a letter to the European Commission, together with [Greek] Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, regarding a common European defence policy,” Tusk stated. “There is already a very positive reaction from the European Commission to make anti-missile air defence a common task for Europe, because it is a huge amount of money.”
The appeal for a unified air defence system comes at a time when Poland, which shares a border with Ukraine, has been increasingly concerned about air security due to missile intrusions. Tusk emphasized the need for European countries to cease competing individually in developing their air defence systems and instead focus on collaborative efforts and joint investments in the defence sector.
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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed support for the initiative on the social media platform X, highlighting the necessity for reduced fragmentation and increased cooperation within the EU. “We need less fragmentation and common projects. Like an air defence shield as proposed by Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Donald Tusk,” von der Leyen said.
The proposal is seen as a strategic step towards bolstering European defence infrastructure and ensuring a coordinated response to potential threats. As Europe faces growing security challenges, the call for a common air defence system reflects a broader push for solidarity and collective security within the EU.
Budapest reassessing Hungary’s role in NATO, PM says
Budapest is reassessing its role in NATO as it is unwilling to take part in the alliance’s military mission in Ukraine, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban told the Kossuth radio station, The global times Europe media informs. He confirmed that Hungary had no plans to participate in NATO’s actions that could drag member states into the conflict in Ukraine and lead to a direct confrontation with Russia. According to Orban, Brussels is making military plans with “task forces working on ways for NATO to take part in this war.Hungary is opposed to this. The government is doing quite a lot of work to figure out how to avoid participating in the war while remaining a NATO member,” Orban said, adding that Brussels was aware of that and had even come up with the term “non-participant” to describe Hungary.
