Summit: What will the “27” discuss – strengthening the EU’s defense preparedness, holding a conference call with Zelensky

Ukraine's military buildup along with strengthening European defense and security against the Russian threat, as well as the situation in the Middle East, are the main issues to be discussed at the two-day summit in Brussels today and tomorrow, Friday. .

Since the war in Ukraine is at a “decisive moment,” as European Council President Charles Michel emphasized in his message to European leaders, “our main task is to provide rapid military aid to Ukraine and rapid supply and delivery of ammunition.”

Zelensky in a teleconference at the Synod

European leaders are scheduled to hold a video meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. According to the draft conclusions, the European Council is expected to reiterate the European Union's determination to continue providing Ukraine and its people with all necessary political, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support “for as long as necessary and as strongly as necessary.”

With US aid still blocked in Congress, the European Union has put several ideas on the negotiating table to bolster Ukraine's arsenal. One such idea is to use the proceeds on frozen Russian assets. These are the assets and reserves of the Russian Central Bank that were frozen in the European Union (about 210 billion euros). Depending on interest rates, the revenues generated by these frozen assets could bring Ukraine about 3 billion euros annually. This amount will be spent on equipping Ukraine and not on its reconstruction, as was originally planned. According to diplomatic sources, some neutral countries appear to be dissatisfied with this, but the majority of countries appear to support the proposal.

Among the issues raised is strengthening the European Union's defense preparedness

On defense and security, European leaders are expected to call for greater efforts to strengthen the EU's defense preparedness. “We are ready to defend and put the European Union economy on the war footing,” stresses Charles Michel, in his letter to “27”.

According to the draft summit outcomes, European leaders are expected to emphasize “the need to strengthen the European defense technological and industrial base throughout the Union,” and that “increasing defense readiness and strengthening the Union’s sovereignty will require additional efforts.” It will also call for improved access to public and private financing for the European defense industry.

In this context, the European Council is expected to call on the EU Council and the Commission to “explore all options for mobilizing financing and submit a report by June.” The EIB is called upon to adapt its lending policy to the defense industry and the current definition of dual-use goods, while maintaining its financing capacity.

In addition, several “innovative ideas” are being considered to strengthen the European defense industry, such as the possibility of issuing Eurobonds for defence, which, according to diplomatic sources, are supported by France, Italy and in general the southern countries, but not with the support of the so-called “stingy” northern countries. First and foremost is Germany. For this reason, in the draft conclusions, European leaders call for studying “all options” and not “innovative ideas,” ahead of the Commission’s report expected to be issued in June, according to diplomatic sources.

The two-day summit

Regarding the situation in the Middle East, especially in the Gaza Strip, where 70% of the population is at risk of famine, the European Union Heads of State and Government are expected to call for an “immediate humanitarian truce leading to a sustainable ceasefire” in the region. Gaza. Due to their severe differences on this issue, the “27” countries did not succeed in the previous summits in referring to the Gaza issue, but this time, according to diplomats, the European leaders want to include a “balanced text” in the summit’s outcomes.

Before the start of the summit, European leaders will meet with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who will brief them on the situation in Gaza and the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNRWA). According to the draft conclusions, it should be noted that UNRWA services are “indispensable”, in addition to the financial support provided by the European Union.

European leaders are expected to call for “full, rapid, safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to and through the Gaza Strip by all routes.” They are also expected to highlight the need to establish new land routes and crossing points, and welcome the opening of a sea route from Cyprus, which “complements” land routes for the delivery of humanitarian aid. The draft conclusions also state that “immediate measures must be taken to prevent any further movement of the population and provide them with safe shelter to ensure the protection of civilians at all times.”

Moreover, the issue of enlargement will preoccupy European leaders. They will have to decide whether to start EU accession negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina, following the European Commission's recommendation. The majority of countries support that agreement, but on the condition that some reforms are agreed upon before those talks officially begin, according to diplomatic sources.

Finally, European leaders will discuss the agricultural issue. The European Commission has put forward a legislative proposal to simplify some rules of the Common Agricultural Policy. The European Council's conclusions are expected to focus on reducing the administrative burden and fair application of rules related to imports. The draft conclusions also point out that the issue of Ukraine's independent trade measures needs to be dealt with fairly.

The second day of the summit, tomorrow, Friday, March 22, will begin with the Euro Summit and will continue with the agenda items that will remain open from the previous day.

European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde and the head of the Eurogroup are scheduled to attend the euro summit. The economic and financial situation and continued close coordination and management of macroeconomic policies will be discussed. The discussion will focus on the need to deepen capital markets union.

Res-EMP