Costa says EU’s next budget will include unprecedented defence spending

European Council President Antonio Costa told ERR’s Aktuaalne Kaamera on Tuesday that the defence component of the European Union’s proposed 2028 to 2034 budget would be unprecedentedly large.

Costa did not provide specific figures, but said the component would include defence research, innovation and the development of the defence industry’s capabilities. He said the EU could add value to the contributions made by its member states and NATO in these areas.

“There is no country from northern to southern Europe that does not understand this,” Costa said, adding that all 27 EU member states recognised the need to increase defence spending. He said the 23 EU countries that are also NATO allies agreed that national defence budgets should be increased and were working to improve their defence capabilities.

Costa visited Tallinn from August 21 to 25 and met Prime Minister Kristen Michal at Stenbock House. Their discussions focused mainly on the EU’s next long-term budget, as well as continued support for Ukraine, the future of EU enlargement and strengthening Europe’s competitiveness.