Quakers mark ‘EU military drift’
'QCEA also points to other developments which it says normalise militarisation such as the European Commission’s new defence package, launched in February.'
Quakers gathered this week to discuss concerns about Europe’s new defence strategy, which includes increased spending.
The talk, called ‘Europe’s Military Drift: From a soft power union to “security provider”’, was in response to what Quaker Council for European Affairs (QCEA) describes as a ‘recent upward trend in EU militarisation’. Featuring in its spring Around Europe magazine, QCEA points to the EU’s decision to grant €450 million to fund the supply of lethal material to the Ukrainian armed forces like air defence systems, anti-tank weapons and ammunition. The facility will also provide non-lethal supplies such as fuel, personal protective equipment and emergency medical equipment. The money will be channelled through the new European Peace Facility. The total €500 million represents ninety per cent of the facility’s planned annual budget, says QCEA.
This shift in tone, it says, ‘risks changing the very nature of the EU as soft power and as a democratic project founded on common values for the benefit of peace worldwide’. The measures were agreed by EU member states on 27 February.
QCEA also points to other developments which it says normalise militarisation such as the European Commission’s new defence package, launched in February. This refers to defence capability projects as standard industrial activities.
The talk on 24 May was organised by QCEA, in partnership with Young Professionals in Foreign Policy.
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