Media: Ursula von der Leyen urged to create EU intelligence agency For enhanced security

The European Union (EU) is being urged to establish its own intelligence agency as part of a comprehensive review of its preparedness for conflict and crisis, according to a report from former Finnish President Sauli Niinistö.

The proposal, outlined in a report commissioned by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, highlights the need for enhanced intelligence sharing among member states to counteract threats from saboteurs and foreign agents, Caliber.Az reports via Politico.

Niinistö, who served as Finland's president for over a decade, emphasised the necessity of a robust intelligence cooperation service at the EU level to address both strategic and operational requirements.

His recommendations come in the context of ongoing security concerns stemming from Russian President Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine, which has heightened fears of espionage and sabotage across the continent.

The report suggests the creation of an "anti-sabotage network" to safeguard critical infrastructure, as well as improved counter-espionage measures within EU institutions. The need for such measures is underscored by numerous incidents involving expelled diplomats amid espionage allegations, alongside heightened activity by foreign agents in Brussels, which hosts a multitude of embassies and institutions.

While Western allies already collaborate on intelligence sharing through networks like the Five Eyes, Niinistö argues for a dedicated EU agency to optimise existing information and build trust among member states. He noted, however, that intelligence gathering remains primarily the responsibility of individual countries, with von der Leyen affirming the importance of improving the flow of information rather than establishing a separate agency for high-risk missions abroad.

In addition to the intelligence proposal, Niinistö highlighted the necessity for an EU Preparedness Law to set clear standards for cooperation in national defence. He pointed out a significant shortfall of cybersecurity experts within the EU, advocating for initiatives that would involve civilians in national defence efforts.

Niinistö's findings will inform von der Leyen's agenda in her second term, which includes appointing the EU's first-ever defence commissioner responsible for drafting a comprehensive defence white paper due in spring 2025.

This proactive approach aims to enhance the EU's overall readiness to face an increasingly volatile security landscape, marked by foreign interference and the need for robust collective action among member states.

By Aghakazim Guliyev