President Iohannis to discuss European defence, transatlantic relationship at EU informal meeting

 President Klaus Iohannis will participate on Monday in an informal European Union leaders' retreat on defence issues, which will take place in Brussels, where he is also scheduled to discuss European defence and the transatlantic relationship.According to the Romanian Presidential Administration, in his remarks, Iohannis will voice support for the need for the European Union to take up increased responsibility for its own defence, "efficiently, credibly, responsibly and in complementarity with NATO, which remains the foundation of Euro-Atlantic security."Iohannis will also highlight the importance of deepening cooperation at the level of the European Union on defence issues, the economic dimension of defence, the efficient use of financing mechanisms and options, the need to develop the European defence industrial and technological base, as well as the connection of this field with the overall competitiveness and cohesion of the European Union.He will also underline the key role of the transatlantic relationship and global partnerships in increasing the resilience of the European Union on this level.EU leaders' discussions will focus on concrete ways to strengthen defence capabilities at European level, preparing and substantiating the formal decisions to be taken moving forward.Also addressed will be the importance of the transatlantic relationship and the Strategic Partnership between the EU and the US, the relationship between the EU and the United Kingdom, the European Union's partnerships in the field of defence, as well as the complementarity between the EU and NATO in terms of security and defence.The debates also aim to identify some basic principles necessary for the design and passage of a programmatic document related to the future of European defence - the "White Paper", to be drawn up in the first part of 2025 by the European Commission. The document will also address the EU's defence capability priorities, also taking into account the support needed for Ukraine, joint defence initiatives and the resources needed to develop them.In addition to consultations among the national leaders of the member states, there will be an exchange of views with the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, a meeting with Secretary General of NATO Mark Rutte, and a meeting with the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer.