German MEP calls on EU to shift to wartime economy and self-defence

The head of the European People's Party (EPP) and its faction in the European Parliament, Manfred Weber, stated that Europe needs to shift towards a wartime economy and be capable of defending itself independently.

"Given the threats, we in Europe should now switch our thinking to a military economy. This means an accelerated procedure for licensing military equipment, closer cooperation between European arms manufacturers," Weber stated in an interview with the Welt am Sonntag newspaper, per Caliber.Az.

However, according to him, this may also mean that in the future, arms manufacturers will work in shifts on weekends, and companies that previously produced industrial goods for civilian purposes will start producing weapons.

"We must be able to defend ourselves independently. I am tired of always relying on Washington for our security," the politician emphasized. In his view, Europe should become more capable. "Europe does not need 17 different types of tanks, while the Americans have only one. There should be a commitment to joint arms procurement. The new weapons should primarily be purchased from European companies," Weber stressed.

Moreover, Weber believes that Europe needs a common shield against missiles and drones, as well as a separate European satellite surveillance system.

"There should be a research center for the development of innovations based on artificial intelligence. And we need a common European command integrated into NATO structures," the politician suggested.

The European Chief of Staff should have the ability to command modernized national armies and make clear statements about procurements, he noted.

At the same time, Weber noted that he was not surprised by U.S. President Donald Trump's statement that in the future, Europe will have to take responsibility for its own security.

"Our problem is that we were not prepared for this. In recent years, I have frequently advocated for European defense, and many years in Berlin and Paris have been wasted. Obviously, it took Trump II to wake up Europe," Weber concluded.

By Khagan Isayev