Open but Secure Europe%E2%80%99s Path to Strategic Interdependence 2025

so the EU should merge its nascent space policies into the European Space Agency (ESA) as a new EU Space Agency (while retaining the ESA’s broader membership). To return to the underlying theme of this chapter: Europe’s foreign-policy ambition is inextricable from the strength of its defences. Investment in defence must be the foundation on which all wider engagement is built. This chapter has already addressed the need for European governments to take more responsibility for NATO in order to rebalance the transatlantic relationship. Doing so means much more than saying the right words. It means much deeper defence investments, with serious political effort needed to build long- term support for those costs among electorates. It means European militaries delivering NATO’s leading land, air and sea forces. It means a comprehensive security agreement between the EU and the UK, restoring prior levels of intelligence sharing and treating the British defence industry as part of the wider European one. And it means a long-term plan to reduce European dependence on US military assets; including investments in air and missile defence, a drone fleet and European air transport and refuelling capabilities.20 Such investments will provide a resilient base for more active European foreign policies in the world, which should in turn reinforce Europe’s security and its ability to build its hard power. As this chapter has argued, foreign policy and defence are intertwined. Recognizing this and acting accordingly is an essential plank of strategic interdependence.  Europe needs a long-term plan to reduce European dependence on US military assets; including investments in air and missile defence, a drone fleet and European air transport and refuelling capabilities. Summary of recommendations –Establish a common position on any Ukraine- Russia negotiations, set a 0.3% GDP target for Ukraine support and create a long-term plan to continue military support to Kyiv. The EU should also accelerate progress towards its next enlargement. –Seek a common position on the Israel- Palestine crisis, push for new trade deals in Asia, tread a balanced line on China, position Europe as a leading partner to Latin America and treat Africa with both humility and ambition. –Revise the strategic compass before the next EU budget negotiations, bolster the role of the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and create an EU security council. –Recommit to realistic reforms to the multilateral system and pursue new plurilateral forms of cooperation, including a digital alliance with the US. –Adopt a whole-of-society approach to defence that encompasses civilian realms such as logistics, telecommunications and healthcare. Build a long-term political base among electorates for higher military spending. –Forge a comprehensive security agreement with the UK and initiate strategic investments that, over time, reduce Europe’s defence dependence on the US. Open but Secure: Europe’s Path to Strategic Interdependence 10