FT: EU defence ministers demand Brussels cut red tape to boost military readiness

Defence ministers from 11 EU member states have called on Brussels to revise EU legislation to eliminate obstacles that impede the strengthening and operational readiness of European armed forces.

In a joint letter addressed to EU Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius, the ministers stressed the urgent need to eliminate legal barriers to the operational readiness of armed forces, defence organisations, and the defence industry, Caliber.Az reports via FT.

The letter warned that some EU laws create direct obstacles to the armed forces’ ability to fulfill their missions, highlighting how current community legislation obstructs essential measures necessary to maintain troop readiness. The ministers pointed out that these restrictions mainly involve procurement laws, nature conservation, and environmental protection regulations.

Beyond these areas, they also expressed concern about the significant administrative burdens defence organisations face due to various EU legal acts. The call for reform was signed by the defence ministers of the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Romania, Finland, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

By Naila Huseynova