New White Paper on European Defence: A Plan to Strengthen Europe’s Security and Resilience
20. marca 2025
The European Commission, together with the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has presented the White Paper for European Defence – Readiness 2030.
This strategic document introduces a new approach to defence, identifies critical investment needs, and creates new financial instruments to enhance European defence capabilities.
As part of this initiative, the ReArm Europe plan responds to evolving security threats and emphasizes the need for increased defence investments and technological innovations in this sector.
Key Objectives of the White Paper The White Paper for European Defence outlines six main priorities that will shape the future of Europe’s security:
Financial Instruments for Defence Support As part of the ReArm Europe initiative, the newly introduced Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument will enable investments in defence capabilities worth up to €150 billion. These funds will be available to member states based on national defence plans and aim to accelerate the modernization of Europe’s defence industrial base.
At the same time, the European Investment Bank (EIB) will expand its scope to include financing for defence projects, creating opportunities for mobilizing private capital and innovative investments in the defence sector.
Impact on Slovakia and Critical Infrastructure For Slovakia and its critical infrastructure, these measures provide an opportunity to enhance the protection of strategic sectors, modernize security mechanisms, and integrate more deeply into European defence structures.
New tools and funding can help improve cybersecurity, protect energy networks, and strengthen military infrastructure, increasing the country’s overall resilience to external threats.
Conclusion The White Paper for European Defence – Readiness 2030 represents a significant step towards strengthening Europe’s security autonomy. With growing geopolitical threats, it is crucial for EU member states to increase their investments in defence and technological development.
For Slovakia, it is essential to seize the new opportunities presented by this initiative and actively participate in joint projects in the field of defence and security.
Read more at: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_793
As part of this initiative, the ReArm Europe plan responds to evolving security threats and emphasizes the need for increased defence investments and technological innovations in this sector.
Key Objectives of the White Paper The White Paper for European Defence outlines six main priorities that will shape the future of Europe’s security:
- Closing critical gaps in defence capabilities – focusing on essential technologies and infrastructure needed for the security of EU member states.
- Supporting the European defence industry – creating coordinated demand and promoting joint procurement.
- Deepening cooperation with Ukraine – expanding military assistance and strengthening the link between the European and Ukrainian defence industries.
- Simplifying defence-related regulations – reducing administrative barriers and strengthening the internal market for defence equipment.
- Investing in defence innovation – developing new technologies, such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing.
- Improving military mobility and protecting external borders – enhancing readiness for potential crisis scenarios.
Financial Instruments for Defence Support As part of the ReArm Europe initiative, the newly introduced Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument will enable investments in defence capabilities worth up to €150 billion. These funds will be available to member states based on national defence plans and aim to accelerate the modernization of Europe’s defence industrial base.
At the same time, the European Investment Bank (EIB) will expand its scope to include financing for defence projects, creating opportunities for mobilizing private capital and innovative investments in the defence sector.
Impact on Slovakia and Critical Infrastructure For Slovakia and its critical infrastructure, these measures provide an opportunity to enhance the protection of strategic sectors, modernize security mechanisms, and integrate more deeply into European defence structures.
New tools and funding can help improve cybersecurity, protect energy networks, and strengthen military infrastructure, increasing the country’s overall resilience to external threats.
Conclusion The White Paper for European Defence – Readiness 2030 represents a significant step towards strengthening Europe’s security autonomy. With growing geopolitical threats, it is crucial for EU member states to increase their investments in defence and technological development.
For Slovakia, it is essential to seize the new opportunities presented by this initiative and actively participate in joint projects in the field of defence and security.
Read more at: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_25_793
On July 3, 2025, a memorandum of cooperation was concluded in Bratislava between the National Security Authority (NBÚ) and the Critical Infrastructure Association of the Slovak Republic (AKI SR). The document was officially signed by JUDr. Roman Konečný, Director of the National Security Authority, and Ing. Tibor Straka, President of the Critical Infrastructure Association of the Slovak Republic. The cooperation will be implemented at the level of professional discussions, knowledge exchange, and presentation of the most suitable approaches in the field of information and cybersecurity. Both parties have also committed to supporting education in the field of information security and contributing to the prevention of cybercrime. This memorandum is the first of a series of memoranda that the AKI SR will conclude with other state administration bodies exercising competence in the field of critical infrastructure.
Dňa 3. júla 2025 bolo v Bratislave uzatvorené memorandum o spolupráci medzi Národným bezpečnostným úradom (NBÚ) a Asociáciou kritickej infraštruktúry Slovenskej republiky (AKI SR). Dokument oficiálne podpísali JUDr. Roman Konečný, riaditeľ Národného bezpečnostného úradu, a Ing. Tibor Straka, prezident Asociácie kritickej infraštruktúry Slovenskej republiky. Spolupráca bude realizovaná na úrovni odborných diskusií, výmeny poznatkov a prezentácie najvhodnejších prístupov v oblasti informačnej a kybernetickej bezpečnosti. Obe strany sa zároveň zaviazali podporovať osvetu v oblasti informačnej bezpečnosti a prispievať k prevencii kybernetickej kriminality. Toto memorandum je prvým z radu memoránd, ktoré bude Asociácia kritickej infraštruktúry Slovenskej republiky uzatvárať s ďalšími orgánmi štátnej správy vykonávajúcimi pôsobnosť na úseku kritickej infraštruktúry.
On June 26, 2025, another working meeting of the presidium of the Critical Infrastructure Association of the Slovak Republic (AKI SR) took place at the premises of the Council of Slovak Exporters, which was also attended by the chairman of the supervisory board of AKI SR.
Dňa 26. júna 2025 sa v priestoroch Rady slovenských exportérov uskutočnilo ďalšie pracovné rokovanie prezídia Asociácie kritickej infraštruktúry Slovenskej republiky (AKI SR), na ktorom sa zúčastnil aj predseda dozornej rady AKI SR.
In recent days, State Secretary of the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic Patrik Krauspe received a delegation of the Critical Infrastructure Association of the Slovak Republic (AKI SR), which was led by AKI SR President Tibor Straka. The goal of the working meeting was to officially present the association as a professional and independent platform connecting state and private entities in the field of critical infrastructure and to discuss cooperation opportunities between the Ministry of Interior of the SR and AKI SR.
V uplynulých dňoch prijal štátny tajomník Ministerstva vnútra SR Patrik Krauspe delegáciu Asociácie kritickej infraštruktúry Slovenskej republiky (AKI SR), ktorú viedol prezident AKI SR Tibor Straka. Cieľom pracovného stretnutia bolo oficiálne predstavenie asociácie ako odbornej a nezávislej platformy prepájajúcej štátne aj súkromné subjekty v oblasti kritickej infraštruktúry a prerokovanie možností spolupráce medzi Ministerstvom vnútra SR a AKI SR.
The Slovak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SOPK) organized its traditional semi-annual press conference on June 18, 2025. The discussion focused on how Slovakia is managing current economic challenges, while also presenting proposals for fundamental changes in the areas of innovation, artificial intelligence, and security.
Slovenská obchodná a priemyselná komora (SOPK) usporiadala 18. júna 2025 svoju tradičnú polročnú tlačovú konferenciu. Diskusia sa sústredila na to, ako Slovensko zvláda aktuálne hospodárske výzvy, a zároveň predstavila návrhy na zásadné zmeny v oblasti inovácií, umelej inteligencie a bezpečnosti.
New executive order from Trump cancels key cybersecurity initiatives from the Biden era, while the approach to cybersecurity on the other side of the Atlantic is markedly different – Europe is accelerating its digital security program.
Nové výkonné nariadenie od Trumpa ruší hlavné iniciatívy v oblasti kybernetickej bezpečnosti z éry Bidena, pričom postoj ku kybernetickej bezpečnosti je na druhej strane Atlantiku výrazne odlišný – Európa zrýchľuje svoj digitálny bezpečnostný program.