Europe must commit to peace in line with its own principles. Security is surely part of it, but it is not enough. Now that the US is no longer an ally and the threat of autocracy (military and political) is increasing, an integrated response is needed. Our goal must be peace. To achieve this we need a political strategy not solely based on deterrence, but a vision to also relies on diplomacy, international cooperation and democratic constitutional states.
These times call for an integrated peace policy. In our Emergency Package for Peace, we explain our vision for a sustainable approach to peace and security.
Peace goes beyond weapon investments
Why an Emergency Package?
Heads of government from Europe, the US and Canada met at a NATO summit in The Hague on 24 and 25 June. The main item on the agenda: the new NATO defence spending commitment. Trump demanded that this commitment rise from 2% to 5% of GDP. For the Netherlands, this would mean 55 billion euros, more than double our current spending on defence (22 billion euros). At the summit, NATO SecretaryGeneral Mark Rutte successfully pushed through an amended proposal of 3.5% plus 1.5% for investment in infrastructure and defence-related expenses. A majority in the Dutch House of representatives supports this plan, which at 3.5% still translates into an increase in our defence budget of 19 billion euros.
However, the political debate is fixed too strongly on these percentages rather than on the underlying question: what is needed?
What is the problem?
The investment currently under preparation is of such a scale that it will contribute greatly to an uncontrolled arms race. This will make arms control more difficult and increase the risk of armed conflict. The investment of course also exerts huge pressure on our economy and on government expenditure and will lead to cuts in other crucial areas, such as healthcare and education. Furthermore, this enormous investment in defence will diminish our capacity to increase social, political and economic resilience. And it is precisely this weakness that is targeted by other countries, including Russia.
PAX recognises the need for investment in defence and in security. Under Trump, the US is no longer a reliable ally. It is up to the European Union to present its own, inclusive security strategy together with other European countries, including Ukraine.
What is the Emergency Package for Peace?
This strategy must explicitly form a component of any broader political strategy aimed at peace. Moreover, it is important to invest now to decrease our dependence on the United States. Finally, investment in our security and peace should strengthen democracy and the international rule of law and not be at the expense of the security of civilians elsewhere.
At PAX, we therefore propose an integrated security policy based on the following four pillars:
- Diplomacy and dialogue
- International cooperation
- Democracy and rule of law
- Defence and arms control
De pillars
Diplomacy and dialogue
- Invest in diplomatic capacity. Appoint an EU envoy for Ukraine.
- Restore our credibility as an advocate of international law. For example, by holding Israel to account much more emphatically on its innumerable violations of international law and attaching serious
consequences to these. - Actively investigate options for dialogue with Russia on arms control and non-proliferation.
International cooperation
- Invest in fair trading relationships.
- Invest in development cooperation aimed at peace building, conflict prevention and strengthening the development of constitutional democracies. Europe should display the same ambitions for peace building as it does for investment in defence.
- Continue to support Ukraine. With weapons to enable it to defend itself against Russian aggression. With diplomatic support during any negotiations. And with support for building a democracy.
Democracy and rule of law
- Recognise that a hybrid threat undermines democracy and social cohesion.
- Strengthen the resilience of European societies to this.
- Support and strengthen democratic forces around the world, as a counterpart to the concentration of political, military, media and economic power in the hands of autocrats and oligarchs.
Defence and arms control
- Responsible investment in defence must primarily be aimed at European autonomy, the protection of civilians and international law. This requires strategic choices and not an unsubstantiated decision in favour of a 5% commitment to defence spending. Ensure a moral basis for investment in defence and the arms industry; prevent the production of banned weapons such as landmines and deliveries of weapons to countries that violate human rights.
- Investment in defence must go hand in hand with sound democratic control on the defence industry and the industry must be required to abide by the rules of responsible business practices.
Emergency Package for Peace
An integrated and sustainable approach to peace and security