Informal EU leaders’ retreat

An informal meeting of EU leaders will take place today (3 February) at the Palais d’Egmont in Brussels, chaired by the President of the European Council, António Costa, and attended by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has been invited to a lunch, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to a dinner.

Based on the principles that Europe must take greater responsibility for its own defence and that EU member states have a common interest in cooperating more closely at the European level, the meeting is an opportunity to discuss how to strengthen European defence in response to current security challenges, including Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, hybrid and cyber threats and instability in the Middle East.

The leaders will also exchange views on other issues, in particular EU-US relations.

The main topics for discussion in the defence area will be:
– the development of European defence capabilities
– the financing of European defence, including the mobilisation of private funds and optimising the use of the EU budget
– strengthening and deepening partnerships with NATO and non-EU European partners.

At the end of the meeting, the President of the European Council, António Costa, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the Prime Minister of Poland, Donald Tusk, will hold a joint press conference.

Strengthening European defence capabilities

The EU remains committed to enhancing its defence capabilities and strategic autonomy in the face of ongoing security challenges. Leaders will discuss how to strengthen European defence through enhanced collaboration, effective financing, and strategic investments to develop Europe’s technological and industrial base. This includes focusing on developing critical defence capabilities, identifying gaps and priorities, and maximising the potential of EU instruments to support this effort.

Financing European defence

In a security environment shaped by escalating threats, EU leaders will explore how to finance European defence in a more effective way. The discussions will focus on mobilising private funding, optimising the EU budget, and considering additional common options for financing defence initiatives in the short, medium, and long term.

Strengthening partnerships and transatlantic cooperation

Leaders will also discuss how to deepen existing EU partnerships with NATO and non-EU European partners. Over lunch, leaders will be joined by the NATO Secretary General to discuss the broader EU-NATO cooperation and the most pressing defence-related issues, including the continued support for Ukraine.

The UK’s role in European security will be a central point of discussion during the dinner with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, providing an opportunity to discuss the future of EU-UK defence relations ahead of the EU-UK Summit later in 2025. .

Further information: European Commission