Safer Together Strengthening Europe’s Civilian and Military Preparedness and Readiness

The report was requested by the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, and High Representative / Vice-President Josep Borrell in March 2024. The Special Advisor was asked to: 

• analyse current risks and anticipate future threats,
• recommend ways to mainstream preparedness in order to prevent isolated approaches by individual actors and instead enhance synergies for a more resilient EU,
• outline mechanisms to ensure that civilian and military capabilities can address todays and future crises and are well coordinated,
• lay out plans to facilitate cooperation between civilian and military institutions, public and private actors and international partners,
• and delineate possibilities to strengthen and raise awareness on EU societies' resilience.

These topics are discussed in the report’s nine chapters. At the end of each chapter, the Special Advisor makes recommendations.

With regards to CSDP, the report finds missions and operations to be an integral part of the EU’s response to crises and recommends their reinforcement. It cautions that the decision-making structures might impede the EU’s ability to react to arising challenges in a unified and timely manner. This could be improved by introducing qualified majority voting for CFSP/CSDP matters. Moreover, the insights that CSDP missions can provide should be used to develop strategic foresight. Finally, CSDP missions should take place under the umbrella of the integrated approach, which is to be further promoted.

The report is of particular relevance to policy-makers as it provides a detailed and multi-dimensional analysis of the EU's preparedness - encompassing security, economic resilience, political frameworks and citizen empowerment - thereby placing the CFSP in a broader and more integrated context.

Reference: Niinistö, S. (2024). Safer Together – Strengthening Europe’s Civilian and Military Preparedness and Readiness.