The European Union must strengthen its defense capability in order to avoid military weaknesses, foreign relations and security expert Mihai Isac stated in a public debate titled "Europe's security at a historical crossroads. What is Moldova's place?", His statements come in a geopolitical context marked by tensions and the need for the European Union to ensure robust defense against external threats.
According to the expert, the member states reached a consensus on the “ReArm Europe” strategy, which provides for the allocation of €800 billion for the development of the European Union's defense capability. However, the implementation of this strategy will have visible effects only in a few years.
"The approved amount is €800 billion. But it is clear that we will not see immediate results. It also goes to the development of railway infrastructure to allow easier access for military forces from one country to another. Romania and other countries are already part of the so-called military Schengen, the national legislation allowing the transit of foreign military forces. It is clear that there is a need for measures that will no longer allow the community bloc to be vulnerable from a military point of view," said the foreign policy expert.
Mihai Isac noted that, in order to ensure this rearmament process, it is necessary to amend the national laws of all the member states and to train a new generation of professionals in the military industry, which will require considerable time and resources.
"Time is needed to create a new generation of specialists, to attract people specialized in the defense industry. We will see tangible results only in a medium term," stated the expert.
He noted that maintaining the political will to strengthen European defense, even after the elections that will take place in different countries of the EU, is another crucial aspect. If the continuity of this political commitment is not ensured, the rearmament efforts could be compromised.
"It is important to maintain this political will to support the project even after the next elections that will be held in different states, such as France, Germany. Pro-Russian political forces in various European countries are already using rhetoric favorable to the Russian Federation in order to prevent Europe from defending itself. The term "rearmament" is too harsh in Romanian. It is necessary to ensure defense capabilities," said Mihai Isac.
The public debate entitled "Europe's security at a historic crossroads. What is Moldova's place?" was the 327th edition of the project "Developing political culture through public debates", which is implemented with support from the German Hanns Seidel Foundation.
