The EU has unveiled a fresh strategy aimed at bolstering civil preparedness against potential aggression, natural disasters linked to climate change, and cyberattacks, while also cautioning about the “deterioration of Europe’s security prospects.”
“It is imperative that we brace ourselves for significant incidents, which may encompass armed hostilities directed at one or several nations. There is a realistic possibility that Europe’s preparedness and resilience to armed aggression will be tested in the near future,” the Commission emphasizes in its Preparedness Strategy. The Commission emphasises that this serves as a crucial warning.
Recently, the European Union issued a cautionary note, citing insights from Danish and German intelligence agencies, suggesting that Vladimir Putin intends to launch an attack on a NATO member state prior to 2030. As stipulated in Article 5 of the Alliance, this would signify an assault on all member nations of NATO. Brussels has now made its stance even more explicit, cautioning about the potential for armed conflict within the EU. Concerning a conflict.
“We must brace ourselves for significant, cross-sector incidents and crises, including the potential for armed aggression impacting one or more Member States,” the Commission observes in the EU Preparedness Strategy, set to be released tomorrow.
The draft of that text, which has come to the attention of Spanish media EL MUNDO and was also previewed by another Spanish outlet, El País, is quite explicit in its cautions regarding a potential conflict. Indeed, the opening paragraph makes this point abundantly clear. For many years, the essence of the European endeavour has been rooted in peace and stability, and this continues to hold true. Nevertheless, Europe now confronts a fresh reality, marked by an array of escalating and complex risks, alongside significant uncertainty,” it asserts from the very beginning.
“The ongoing conflict initiated by Russia in Ukraine, coupled with escalating geopolitical strains, state-backed hybrid and cyber offensives, deliberate sabotage of essential infrastructure, foreign intelligence meddling, and electronic warfare, has regrettably established itself as a constant aspect of our current landscape,” he elaborates. He states plainly: “In light of this situation, it is quite plausible that Europe’s readiness and ability to withstand armed aggression will soon be put to the test.” This serves as a crucial alert for Europe.
The stance of the EU is unmistakably clear, the dangers are apparent, and the wording allows for no ambiguity. Despite Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s efforts to temper his rhetoric and steer clear of terms like “rearmament,” it remains a source of discomfort for his Sumar partners.
The document, which includes the suggestions from the report authored by former Finnish President Sauli Niinistö last October, provides the public with a series of recommendations for these possible large-scale events. The most notable point, perhaps, emphasises the necessity for individuals to be self-reliant for a span of three days.
The Commission is set to assist Member States in attaining population self-sufficiency for a minimum of 72 hours throughout the European Union. In instances of significant upheaval, it is conceivable that public authorities may struggle to meet the fundamental needs of the entire populace in the early stages of a crisis.
“Consequently, it is anticipated that individuals and households will manage to sustain themselves independently for the initial three days, guaranteeing access to vital necessities such as water, food, medicines, and fundamental services prior to the arrival of external assistance,” the text asserts.
The Commission’s document arrives on the heels of the European Parliament’s release of its Eurobarometer survey, which underscores Spain’s apparent indifference towards the prospect of war. The document reveals that 36% of Europeans view security and defence as the primary concern for the EU, in contrast to just 20% of Spaniards who share this sentiment. This figure is the lowest, alongside that of Malta.
In contrast, a notable forty percent of Spaniards assert that the foremost priority for the EU ought to be education and research, a sentiment echoed by merely 23% of Europeans who place it at the top of their list. Both groups concur that competitiveness, the economy, and industry rank as secondary in importance.
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