European Council President Antonio Costa highlighted the importance of a strong and competitive European defence industry during an informal EU Leaders' Retreat held at Palais d'Egmont in Brussels. The meeting centered on enhancing European security by developing collective capabilities, effectively using the EU budget, and mobilizing private funding.
The leaders focused on several critical areas, including air and missile defence, missiles and ammunition, military mobility, and strategic enablers. Costa emphasized the need to produce these capabilities more efficiently and collaboratively.
Costa stated, "Strengthening the European defence industry has to be at the centre of this effort - we must produce more of the capabilities we need, and do it faster." The EU leaders agreed on the importance of addressing critical gaps in their defences to enhance security.
EU stands for the European Union, which is a group of 27 countries in Europe that work together on various issues like trade, security, and laws.
Brussels is the capital city of Belgium and is often considered the de facto capital of the European Union because many important EU meetings and institutions are located there.
The European Council President is a leader who represents the EU and helps guide its policies. Antonio Costa is the current president, and he helps coordinate meetings and discussions among EU leaders.
The defence industry is a sector that makes products and services for military purposes, like weapons, vehicles, and technology to protect a country.
Collective capabilities refer to the combined strengths and resources of different countries working together to improve their security and defence.
The EU budget is the money that the European Union collects and spends to support its activities, like improving security, helping member countries, and funding projects.
Private funding means getting money from businesses or individuals, rather than the government, to support projects or industries.
Air and missile defence involves systems and technologies used to protect a country from attacks by aircraft or missiles.
Military mobility is the ability to move military forces and equipment quickly and efficiently to where they are needed.
Strategic enablers are important resources or technologies that help a military force operate effectively, like communication systems or transportation networks.
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