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BRUSSELS (CHATNEWSTV) — President António Costa has extended an invitation to members of the European Council for an informal retreat on European defence, set to take place on February 3 at Château de Limont, near Brussels. The meeting aims to address the growing security challenges Europe faces, particularly in light of Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine and increasing hybrid and cyber threats.
In his invitation letter released on Monday, Costa emphasized the importance of strengthening Europe’s resilience and autonomy in defence matters. “Europe needs to assume greater responsibility for its own defence,” he stated. “We must become more resilient, efficient, and reliable, not only as a security actor within Europe but as a stronger transatlantic partner, particularly in the context of NATO.”
The retreat will focus on preparing decisions for the future of European defence, as the European Commission and High Representative are expected to prepare a white paper covering joint defence initiatives and necessary resources. Costa noted that a broader discussion on defence would take place at the European Council in June 2025.
Costa highlighted two key principles to guide the discussions. The first centers around increasing Europe’s defence investments to address critical capability gaps and fortify the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base. The second stresses the need for deeper cooperation among member states to maximize economies of scale, ensure interoperability, and strengthen the overall economic competitiveness of the EU.
Costa also outlined specific issues for consideration during the retreat. These include defining priority defence capabilities, increasing collective investment, and exploring ways to deepen partnerships with non-EU European nations. Additionally, the meeting will feature a lunch with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to discuss defence-related matters, particularly EU-NATO cooperation and support for Ukraine.
The retreat will also include a working dinner with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, marking his first meeting with all 27 EU leaders. Defence will be a central topic of the dinner discussion, underscoring the UK’s critical role as a partner in European security.
“I look forward to our discussions on February 3,” Costa concluded, thanking Prime Minister Donald Tusk for his cooperation in preparing for the retreat.
The informal gathering is expected to shape the future direction of European defence strategies amid a rapidly evolving global security environment.
