site.btaEU Must Build "Hard Power" to Play More Central Geostrategic Role - MEP Nikola Minchev

Bulgarian MEP Nikola Minchev from the Renew Europe/Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria group Wednesday told BTA that the European Union (EU) must build up its "hard power" to play a more central geostrategic role in today's highly dynamic world.

Minchev added  that in recent decades, the EU has been known primarily for its "soft power," such as quality of life, education, and healthcare. In terms of hard power, however, the EU has relied mainly on the US' capacity and commitment to transatlantic security. Now that this is no longer the case, the EU must build its own hard power. Minchev clarified that he was not proposing the creation of a European army but rather greater compatibility between the defence capacities of Member States, faster response time, and better coordination.

Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument

On January 15, the European Commission approved Bulgaria's national defence plan under the SAFE instrument.

Minchev explained that providing the funds and distributing them to the countries is not the only responsibility of the European Commission, and that these are not grants or direct payments from the EU budget to Member States. The EU can draw on these loans at significantly more favourable terms than individual Member States can because it is a very large and powerful entity.  How the funds are used depends on the Member States. The goal is to increase each country's defence capability and the defence capability of all countries together. Minchev added that much better operational compatibility between the defence capabilities of the Member States is sought because this is one of the main problems of European defence.

"The greatest achievement of European integration is the single market. In the field of defence, however, it is completely lacking and must certainly be strengthened and improved in the coming years," commented the MEP. "I am counting on SAFE to strengthen Europe's defence capability," he said.