Europe’s defence strategy cannot be built on the logic of war

“The defence strategy is built, among other things, on long-term capability development. What we are seeing now is simply scrambling,” stressed György Hölvényi, Member of the European Parliament for the KDNP, during Tuesday morning’s plenary debate of the European Parliament.

The MEP underlined: In the 21st century, NATO is a necessity for Europe — no one disputes this — but to place this in a relationship of dependency with the war in Ukraine is simply absurd. “Yet this is where Europe stands today.”

György Hölvényi expressed his respect for the Ukrainian victims while warning: “Europe’s defence strategy cannot depend on a country at war. Yes to military development – no to preparations for war!

The KDNP Member of the European Parliament pointed out: “Strong defence serves the preservation of peace, not escalation. Financing war indefinitely is not a strategy but self-deception — and of course, very good business for many. But this cannot come at the expense of destroying Europe’s economy,” he said.

In his speech, György Hölvényi emphasised that Europe simply cannot afford to finance a war at the expense of future generations. “While its own economic strength is declining and its competitiveness is continuously deteriorating,” he added.

According to György Hölvényi, a European Union that depletes its own stockpiles to sustain a war cannot be a credible defence actor. “Those who base Europe’s security on an external conflict are in fact giving up independent European defence.”

“Peace can be preserved by strengthening Europe’s defence capabilities. This is the strategic path. Everything else is merely drifting,” György Hölvényi concluded his speech.