Dear friends,
Good morning.
We recently marked 80 years since World War Two ended. Victory was achieved not only by armies but also by factories. Today, peace through strength requires production and innovation, especially in collaboration with Ukraine.
The EU and Ukraine must unite to enhance defence capabilities. Ukraines imminent EU membership will strengthen our cooperation, as evidenced by the EU-Ukraine Defence Industry Forum. This partnership is a priority outlined in our White Paper on European Defence.
The EU has supported Ukraine with 140 billion euros, including 50 billion in military aid. We must do more, not just by spending but by integrating defence industries. President Von der Leyen emphasizes the need for integration over aid.
Ukraine offers modern, cost-effective defence production. Its industry has grown from 1 billion to 35 billion euros in capacity, showcasing remarkable innovation in areas like drones and AI.
The EU benefits from Ukraines experience and production capabilities. This collaboration is vital as Ukraine defends Europe and contributes to our future security architecture.
Integration with Ukraines defence sector is crucial. Initiatives like the Danish model show how EU countries can benefit from Ukrainian expertise.
European companies are investing in Ukraine, and we must continue to build on these foundations through programs like EDIP, which supports joint procurement and Ukrainian defence production.
Time is of the essence; we must act swiftly to counter threats from aggressive forces. The newly formed EU-Ukraine Task Force will facilitate industry integration and project development.
The EU Defence Innovation Office in Kyiv is a testament to our commitment, supporting research in unmanned systems and future soldier technologies.
With substantial funding available, we encourage EU Member States to invest in Ukraine for mutual benefit.
We are called to seize these opportunities and ensure a collaborative defence industry. Together, we can replicate past victories by excelling in production.
Thank you and Slava Ukraini!