Safer together: A path towards a fully prepared Union

Source: EU Commission website.

Strengthening Europe’s preparedness is a matter of urgency. Europe is facing a new reality, marked by increased risk and deep uncertainty. Since the start of this decade, the EU has experienced the most severe pandemic in a century, the bloodiest war on European soil since the Second World War, and the hottest year in recorded history.  

Against this backdrop, Sauli Niinistö – former President of the Republic of Finland and Special Adviser to the President of the European Commission – was tasked by President von der Leyen, together with the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR/VP), to prepare a report assessing the complex challenges that the EU and its Member States face and to develop recommendations on how to enhance the EU’s civilian and military preparedness and readiness for future crises. 

The report underlines the need for an ambitious new approach to our preparedness and readiness. To this end, it presents around 80 recommendations for both short-term and medium to long-term actions.