Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and ex-Finnish President Sauli Niinistö drafted the recommendations regarding the crisis resilience of European societies.
Former Finnish President Sauli Niinistö has delivered a report authorised by the European Union on how the crisis resilience of European societies can be enhanced. On 30 Oct 2024, Niinistö held a joint press meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels.
A year ago Commission’s von der Leyen asked Sauli Niinistö to compose a comprehensive review of the readiness level of European society. The 165-page report is entitled Safer Together, Strengthening Europe’s Civilian and Military Preparedness and Readiness. It surrounds both conventional armed protection as well as preparedness for cyber and hybrid menaces as well as, for example, climate change.
“This calls for a whole-of-society approach,” Von der Leyen expressed. She thanked Niinistö for his work, stating that it had already impacted the agenda of Von der Leyen’s new commission, which takes office in December. “Threats don’t stop at our borders, they cascade between the interconnected sectors of our economy,” stated Niinistö, adding that “if we are not doing all we can for our security, we cannot expect others to do it for us.”
How does Niinistö view the current threat from Russia?
Niinistö states that the EU must recognise its flaws and then ready for future threats with determination. In the foreword to the report, Niinistö quotes Lenin’s command to the Bolsheviks during the Russian Civil War: “Probe with bayonets. If you encounter mush, proceed; if you encounter steel, withdraw”. Niinistö stated that the threat posed by Russia is now at the most elevated level since the Cold War. He also advised that the bloc must be better ready for crises caused by climate change.
What is the significance of a joint EU crisis centre?
The report also proposes the establishment of a joint EU crisis centre. Niinistö’s report asserts that the EU must signal to the US that it is ready to pay its way on military and civil preparedness. He called on the EU to save one-fifth of its budget, currently worth some one trillion euros over seven years, on security and emergency preparedness. He also encouraged closer collaboration between the EU and NATO.
