Columbia International Affairs Online: Policy Briefs

CIAO DATE: 02/2014

The Future of the European Defence Industry after the December Summit: Ten Polish Priorities

Paulina Zamelek

December 2013

The Polish Institute of International Affairs

Abstract

December’s European Council Summit for heads of state or government has been tasked to deliberate European defence industry issues based on proposals provided by the European Commission. A divergence of interests expressed by interlocutors representing Member States, national defence industries and European institutions could result in heated political debate. The ability to accommodate the interests of Central Eastern Europe and Poland in particular in this process is not yet certain, especially as the EU’s ambitious plans for strengthening the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB) are discordant with the current level playing field across Europe.