{"id":19376,"date":"2024-10-17T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-10-17T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/reinvantage-dev.eonserver.com\/?p=19376"},"modified":"2024-10-17T06:00:00","modified_gmt":"2024-10-17T06:00:00","slug":"the-eu-doesnt-need-a-commissioner-for-defence-at-least-not-one-with-unclear-responsibilities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/reinvantage-dev.eonserver.com\/?p=19376","title":{"rendered":"The EU doesn&#8217;t need a commissioner for defence\u2014at least not one with unclear responsibilities"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>The EU doesn\u2019t need more red tape and fancy titles. Instead, specialised roles with a clear, focused purpose are essential in the context of the EU&#8217;s role in European defence.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Along with the traditional commissioner roles, President Ursula von der Leyen\u2019s second European Commission, presented last month, introduces a new portfolio: Commissioner for Defence and Space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lithuanian Andrius Kubilius is her pick. He is still awaiting approval from the European Parliament. Von der Leyen emphasised in her <a href=\"https:\/\/neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu\/news\/press-statement-president-von-der-leyen-next-college-commissioners-2024-09-17_en\">announcement<\/a> that he would focus on building a European Defence Union and strengthening Europe&#8217;s industrial and investment capabilities.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-background has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/emerging-europe.com\/analysis\/baltics-lead-the-charge-as-emerging-europe-bags-several-of-the-eus-top-jobs\/\">Baltics lead the charge as emerging Europe bags several of the EU\u2019s top jobs<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/emerging-europe.com\/analysis\/why-cee-is-far-from-enthusiastic-about-the-prospect-of-an-eu-army\/\">Why CEE is far from enthusiastic about the prospect of an EU army<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/emerging-europe.com\/analysis\/in-the-baltics-defence-tech-is-coming-of-age\/\">In the Baltics, defence tech is coming of age<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-background has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>But things are not as rosy as they seem. The title \u2018Commissioner for Defence\u2019 and the unclear responsibilities that come with it are already causing jitters in member states, where national sovereignty over defence is fiercely <a href=\"https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/europe\/strategic-europe\/2024\/02\/judy-asks-is-defense-a-priority-across-europe?lang=en\">protected<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To strengthen Europe\u2019s defence efforts, clarity in this role\u2019s remit is essential. Without it, the EU&#8217;s ability to play a significant role in shaping the future of European defence will be nearly impossible to achieve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The EU <a href=\"https:\/\/carnegieendowment.org\/europe\/strategic-europe\/2024\/09\/taking-the-pulse-is-having-a-european-commissioner-for-defense-a-mistake?lang=en\">struggles<\/a> with a fragmented defence industrial base, leading to reduced production capacity and inefficiencies. A lack of standardisation is a chronic problem. European countries each demand tailored versions of the same weapons systems to meet their own requirements. This disjointed approach undercuts Europe&#8217;s defence capabilities and is a major reason why European defence and deterrence remain heavily <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nato.int\/cps\/en\/natohq\/topics_67655.htm\">reliant<\/a> on NATO and, by extension, the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With the creation of a defence portfolio, the EU is aiming to project an image of self-sufficiency in defence policy and coordination. It\u2019s not about full independence. No one is under that illusion. Instead, it\u2019s about asserting some facade of influence in the sector. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The challenge, however, is that to back this ambition, you need more than job titles. You need substantial funding, real executive power, and a coherent, long-term strategy. Simply adding another portfolio to the already cumbersome EU bureaucratic machine doesn\u2019t guarantee those elements will follow. It risks looking like a move for show rather than for substance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As always, money is at the crux of the problem. In defence, Europe\u2019s funding remains modest. The EU&#8217;s total government spending on defence <a href=\"https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/eurostat\/statistics-explained\/index.php?title=Government_expenditure_on_defence#:~:text=However%2C%20in%202022%2C%20in%20absolute,%E2%82%AC184%20billion%20in%202021.\">accounted<\/a> for just 1.3 per cent of its GDP in 2022. Even Kubilius, after his appointment, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2024\/09\/18\/the-eus-new-defence-commissioner-is-open-to-eurobonds\">admitted<\/a>: &#8220;We are looking at how we can raise money as quickly as possible.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Adequate funding isn\u2019t just a long-term problem. It\u2019s a pressing one. With the current EU multiannual financial framework <a href=\"https:\/\/commission.europa.eu\/strategy-and-policy\/eu-budget\/long-term-eu-budget\/2021-2027_en\">locked<\/a> in until 2027, securing additional funds for new initiatives is tough. Kubilius himself <a href=\"https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2024\/09\/18\/the-eus-new-defence-commissioner-is-open-to-eurobonds\">floated<\/a> the &#8220;theoretical possibility of common debt&#8221;, a carefully worded suggestion which reveals just how politically sensitive this idea is likely to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Investment, procurement, and research<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Another real puzzle is defining the new commissioner\u2019s remit, especially with responsibilities already spread across the high representative for foreign affairs and the commissioner for the single market. Mention \u2018defence commissioner\u2019 to people and they imagine a defence minister, but the reality is far less powerful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The commissioner won\u2019t control military operations or budgets. Meanwhile, the high representative will <a href=\"https:\/\/securityconference.org\/en\/publications\/analyses\/from-soft-talk-to-hard-power\/\">continue<\/a> guiding the EU\u2019s defence strategy through the Strategic Compass. Then there\u2019s the European Defence Agency (EDA), which currently <a href=\"https:\/\/www.atlanticcouncil.org\/blogs\/new-atlanticist\/europes-new-defense-commissioner-game-changer-or-procurement-manager\/\">reports<\/a> to the high representative. If the EDA remains outside the new commissioner\u2019s portfolio, their influence will be significantly limited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kubilius\u2019 mission <a href=\"https:\/\/commission.europa.eu\/document\/download\/1f8ec030-d018-41a2-9759-c694d4d56d6c_en?filename=Mission%20letter%20-%20KUBILIUS.pdf\">letter<\/a> from Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made one thing clear: coordination with Kaja Kallas, the pick for high representative on security, is a must. But there\u2019s more. Kubilius is expected to focus heavily on economic matters like investment, procurement, and research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Von der Leyen tasked him with driving public and private defence investment, developing a European air defence shield, enhancing military mobility, and creating a unified market for defence and space industries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Noticeably absent from that agenda is any mention of a major new space initiative. Instead, the emphasis is on \u2018cost efficiency\u2019 in collaboration with the European Space Agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The EU doesn\u2019t need more red tape<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Coordination might sound straightforward, but aligning all the pieces is a different story. As the first defence commissioner, the candidate will have to carve out his role and set critical precedents.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Having a go-to person in Europe to navigate the complexities of the European Defence Fund, the European Defence Industry Programme, the European Peace Facility, and Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), European Space Agency, and more would certainly help. However, the challenge lies in the fact that it\u2019s uncertain, if not unlikely, that this portfolio will encompass all these initiatives in practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s why a more precise title emphasising industry and strategic planning could have clearly defined the role in shaping the EU&#8217;s security and defence coordination. This would help navigate the challenging dynamics of national autonomy, existing frameworks and EU entities.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The EU doesn\u2019t need more red tape and fancy titles within its monstrous bureaucracy. Instead, specialised roles with a clear, focused purpose are essential for the development of uncertain positions, particularly in the context of the EU&#8217;s role in European defence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-background has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Unlike many news and information platforms,&nbsp;<em>Emerging Europe<\/em>&nbsp;is free to read, and always will be.&nbsp;There is no paywall here.&nbsp;We are independent,&nbsp;not affiliated with nor representing any political party or business&nbsp;organisation.&nbsp;We want the very best for emerging Europe, nothing more, nothing less. Your support will help us continue to spread the word about this amazing region.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>You can contribute&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/emergingeurope.krtra.com\/t\/NlQnFuOA2C9c\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a>. Thank you.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/emergingeurope.krtra.com\/t\/NlQnFuOA2C9c\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/emerging-europe.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/copy-of-add-a-heading.png\" alt=\"emerging europe support independent journalism\" class=\"wp-image-50811\"\/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-background has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color is-style-wide\"\/>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The EU doesn\u2019t need more red tape and fancy titles. Instead, specialised roles with a clear, focused purpose are essential in the context of the EU&#8217;s<span class=\"excerpt-hellip\"> [\u2026]<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":19377,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[7836,6666,7950,7951,7949,7193,6633,6320,6599,385,6596,6703],"class_list":["post-19376","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-opinion","tag-andrius-kubilius","tag-defence","tag-defence-procurement-in-europe","tag-europe-defence-spending","tag-european-defence-agency","tag-european-space-agency","tag-european-union","tag-featured","tag-kaja-kallas","tag-lithuania","tag-nato","tag-ursula-von-der-leyen"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/reinvantage-dev.eonserver.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19376","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/reinvantage-dev.eonserver.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/reinvantage-dev.eonserver.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reinvantage-dev.eonserver.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reinvantage-dev.eonserver.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=19376"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/reinvantage-dev.eonserver.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19376\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reinvantage-dev.eonserver.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/19377"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/reinvantage-dev.eonserver.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=19376"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reinvantage-dev.eonserver.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=19376"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/reinvantage-dev.eonserver.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=19376"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}