The Internal Security Strategy complements previous Commission actions

The Commission has identified threats to the EU’s internal security. The Internal Security Strategy is a continuation of the Preparedness Strategy and the Defence White Paper.

The Commission’s internal security strategy, ProtectEU, supports EU member states in ensuring the security of their citizens. The aim is to create a stronger legislative framework, improve information sharing and strengthen cooperation.

The Commission highlights the importance of security as a guarantor of all European freedoms, especially now that the European security environment has deteriorated. Security threats are diverse. Hybrid threats, organized crime and terrorism affect the security and sense of security of Europeans. 64% of Europeans are concerned about the security of Europe, and according to a Eurobarometer survey, 66% of citizens want the EU to play a greater role in responding to security threats.

The strategy presented by the Commission is built on three principles: a whole-of-society approach, the integration of security into all EU legislation and programs and significant investments in security. Investments are needed at EU level, in Member States and in the private sector.

The Internal Security Strategy complements the previously presented Preparedness Strategy and the White Paper on European Defense. Through the Preparedness Strategy, the Commission aims to improve the EU’s capacity to anticipate, prevent and respond to threats. The main components of the strategy include developing cooperation between different actors, increasing citizens’ preparedness through awareness-raising and developing resilience with external partners such as NATO.

In the European Defense White Paper, the Commission calls for, among other things, more coherent and coordinated defense procurement, investments in the defense industry, especially in key technologies and products, and the development of international relations. At the same time as the publication of the Defense White Paper, the Commission presented the €150 billion SAFE package, through which member states can borrow to develop their own defense. The Commission will procure the loan centrally and guarantee it with the EU budget, but each member state is responsible for repaying the loan it has taken out. The instrument in question is part of a larger EU package that would enable member states to increase their borrowing for defense investment so that countries could increase their defense spending by 1.5% of their gross domestic product annually over the next four years without triggering the excessive deficit procedure. Member states will therefore be allowed to activate the derogation clauses in the EU’s Stability and Growth Pact regarding increased defense spending.

Following the publication of the Competitiveness Compass in January, the Commission has presented the publications defined in the compass at a steady pace during the spring. In July, the Commission is due to publish an initiative on the next Multiannual Financial Framework. Investments have been planned in many strategically important areas, which has increased interest in the next MFF initiative. It remains to be seen what kind of financial framework will take shape after the Commission’s initiative and the subsequent negotiations. The framework is due to start at the beginning of 2028.