European defense sovereignty doesn’t mean turning away from NATO, says Von der Leyen – POLITICO

Von der Leyen is currently seeking a second term as head of the European Commission and is running on a program that puts defense at the forefront.

But as Brussels seeks to play a bigger, more prominent role in defense – launching a European defense industrial strategy last month, for example – NATO officials are concerned about overlap with the military alliance. .

“As we strengthen our own defense security, we will of course strengthen our core partnership with NATO: a more sovereign and better financed European defense will of course only make NATO stronger,” said Mrs von der Leyen.

Calling for “a wake-up call for Europe in terms of security and defense” in the face of authoritarian regimes like Iran, Russia and North Korea working together, she nevertheless also tried to reassure EU countries fearing that the European Commission would take power in defense matters.

“Let me be very clear that it will always be the member states who will be responsible for their troops,” the German politician told the audience, highlighting aspects of recruitment, training, doctrine and deployment. The EU can, however, act in areas in which Brussels has competence, namely the single market, innovation, financing and R&D, she said.