Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – European Parliament President Roberta Metsola stressed, “Europe must be responsible for its own security” and emphasised the need for “more action, more financing, and more cooperation” to fulfil expectations for greater defence.
At an informal European Council summit on defence in Brussels, the European Parliament President emphasised that improving security is not an act of goodwill but a need, adding that any policy must respect the constitutional frameworks of European Union Member States.
It is about research and development—about investing in technologies like AI to strengthen cyber resilience and improve our surveillance and situational awareness,
she also said.
She further claimed that security investment is not only around protection but also about growing European competitiveness, producing jobs, and promoting economic growth.
Speaking to EU leaders, Metsola stressed the need to tackle market fragmentation within the bloc.
Different rules, standards, and systems are putting up barriers and risk holding us back,”
she cautioned, insisting on better coordination among member nations.
Europe must be responsible for its own security. No one else will do this for us,
she added.
How does Metsola advocate for stronger European defence?
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola has been a vocal proponent of stronger European defence efforts, especially in the creation of a European Defence Union parallel to NATO.
Last year, Metsola pushed for a strong European Defence Union, commenting that the EU countries should learn to depend more on their own strengths to be ready against potential threats. She thinks that a collective defence policy will make Europe stronger and reinforce the NATO system instead of substituting it.
In her speeches, Metsola urged leaders of the EU to “step up” in asserting Europe’s place in the global arena. She also re-emphasized the importance of unity among the member states of the EU in addressing security challenges.