The peoples are paying the cost of increasing military spending

Statements by AKEL MEP Giorgos Georgiou:

• We don’t want that kind of “security”
• The peoples are paying with their blood the cost of such “peace” interventions

Sunday 21 April 2024, “Haravgi” newspaper

A component part of the militarization of the EU is the creation of PESCO (Permanent Structured Cooperation on Security and Defence). PESCO provides the framework for cooperation between participating EU member states. They jointly develop defence capabilities, coordinate investments and enhance the operational readiness and interoperability of their armed forces.

• PESCO was created to complement NATO action

Referring to the EU’s militarisation process, AKEL MEP and candidate for the European Parliament Giorgos Georgiou stresses that “if even one child dies of hunger or war, then our civilisation has failed miserably”. The renowned Greek writer Kazantzakis’ words are as timely as ever. As the Left we have a clear position against the militarisation of the EU, the coupling with NATO and the investment of funds in the arms industry.

PESCO was created to complement NATO’s actions and is a new phase in strengthening the EU’s militarisation, with a lot of money being channelled to the arms industry. We do not want such ‘security’. The people have paid with their blood for such so-called “peace” interventions. Even today, the perpetuation of the state of war in Ukraine and the EU’s financial aid to Israel is killing innocent children, leading to the genocide of the Palestinians, the creation of refugees, mass poverty and misery.

As the Left in the European Parliament we are fighting for a Europe of peace and solidarity. Furthermore, we are submitting specific proposals so that the funds allocated for militarisation are invested in boosting the welfare state, for the creation of new quality jobs and the well-being of peoples. We are confronting the Right, conservative and extreme right-wing forces. This is to be expected, since their interests are enormous. But because we want to call ourselves human beings, we will wage this struggle to the very end!”

• European defence spending reached €214 billion in 2021

Giorgos Georgiou also notes that participation in PESCO has led to a significant increase in military spending, which is obviously paid for by the peoples of Europe, while health, education and welfare are all victims of the imposition of cuts.

“Borel is calling for an increase in defence spending. Tusk, former President of the European Council, is proud to say that Poland spends 4% of GDP on defence and calls on states to do the same. Their pro-war statements do not represent us!

As the AKEL suggests, “under the guise of the slogan ‘Spend more, spend better, spend together’, EU countries are spending more and more on military armaments. According to figures released by the European Defence Agency (8/12/2022), total European defence spending amounted to €214 billion in 2021, up 6% compared to 2020 (seventh year of consecutive growth).

In fact, in September 2023 the European Parliament voted for the joint purchase of military equipment through the Joint Procurement Act. This was followed by the June 2023 agreement on a new ‘instrument’ with a budget of €300 million until the end of 2025.”

• Let us not forget that Turkey is a leading member of NATO

In Cyprus, several political parties justify the militarisation of the EU, arguing that PESCO and the EU army will shield Cyprus from Turkish aggression.

 

Giorgos Georgiou dispels these illusions, recalling that, “the founding document of PESCO explicitly states that it will operate “in complementarity” with NATO and ensure interoperability with NATO. The statements by the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, that a stronger EU means a stronger NATO (February 2021) are indicative.

“The illusions fostered by both the previous and current governments about the role of NATO and the EU have been repeatedly dispelled. We must not forget that Turkey is a leading member of NATO and 23 EU member states are also members of NATO, bound by the obligations it imposes.”

• We choose the path of cooperation and not confrontation

Giorgos Georgiou also suggests that, “in the course of the EU’s militarisation, the political tug-of-war with Russia and China has intensified, which poses dangers to global security. Given the geopolitical and economic importance of these states, and their important role on the international scene, we advocate the need for a de-escalation of tensions and the decoupling of the EU from NATO and the US.

The EU must find ways to work with China to tackle global challenges such as climate change, food security and financial stability, and not to use vindictive tactics and ploys to drive Chinese companies out of Europe.

As regards the EU’s relationship with Russia, we stress the need for dialogue and cooperation. We propose the assumption of peaceful diplomatic initiatives to end the war in Ukraine. Also, taking into account Russia’s role on the Cyprus problem, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, we support the need for a mutually beneficial relationship based on international law.

We choose the path of cooperation, mutually beneficial relationships and diplomacy, not political confrontation and hostility, a path followed by the right-wing of the EPP (in which DISY party is a member of).”

• The more militarised the EU becomes, the more aggressive it becomes

“The EU must ensure its strategic autonomy. Only in this way will it enhance its role in global competition and play a balancing role for peace and stability”. How many times have we heard statements like this being made?

AKEL MEP and candidate for the European Parliament Giorgos Georgiou replies that in practice this autonomy has nothing to do with peace – the more militarised the EU becomes, the more aggressive it becomes.

The evidence is abundant and indisputable. Under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) the EU has launched and executed over 40 operations and missions since 2003. Today, some 5,000 people are involved in missions and operations on three continents. There are 24 ongoing CSDP missions and operations, of which 11 are overtly military”.

• The EU has launched and executed more than 40 military operations and missions since 2003 on three continents

The crucial question is not more or less Europe, but “what kind of Europe?”

“The talk about “more Europe” reveals from the EU’s own reports that they mean boosting the arms industry. An example is the vote in favour of 50 billion Euros in aid funds to Ukraine, at a time when mass unemployed and homeless are overwhelming Europe’s capitals.

They mean more powers for the European Commission and a reduction in the competences of member states. A characteristic example is the vote in favour of abandoning the principle of unanimity – the veto – in decision-making, which disregards the assertions of small states such as Cyprus.

The crucial question, then, is not more or less Europe but WHICH EUROPE?

As AKEL we reject this perception and we respond with a militant stance, within the ranks of the European United Left, projecting the need for increased social spending, support for workers and farmers, the abolition of inequalities, effective protection of the environment, for peace, democracy and cooperation between peoples.

This is because we are the real backbone of Europe, a Europe of the peoples, not a Europe of wars and monopolies”.