Polish lawmaker and former foreign minister Szymon Szynkowski Vel Sęk voiced strong concern about a recent European Parliament resolution on security policy. In discussions with a political portal, he described several passages as harmful and worrying, arguing that the wording could weaken the practical ties that hold European defense together with its closest ally, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. He stressed that while the EU aims to strengthen its own security framework, the document in question appears to threaten the core principles of transatlantic cooperation and the proven ability of NATO to coordinate military effort across Europe. He noted that some provisions seem to push for a more centralized approach to defense policy that could sideline national interests and practical realities, potentially diminishing the role of member states in shaping their own security agendas. The speaker pointed to the risk that certain sentences would encourage a shift in decision-making that moves away from consensus toward majority rules in matters of defense, a change he described as dangerous and destabilizing. He argued that such a switch could dilute the influence of individual countries on crucial defense choices, including equipment procurement and strategic planning. According to him, the balance between national sovereignty and collective European action would become blurred, leaving countries with less ability to tailor defense strategies to their own budgets, industrial strengths, and strategic priorities. He also warned that a rushed move toward stronger EU control in defense would complicate timely responses to emerging threats and could hamper interoperability with NATO forces already operating across the continent. The diplomat emphasized that defense policy should reinforce the alliance, not replace it, and that practical security depends on clear roles, well-defined chains of command, and sustained trust between member states and their allies. He argued for an approach that strengthens European capabilities while preserving the openness and reliability of the transatlantic partnership, ensuring that policy choices support deterrence, crisis management, and rapid mobilization where needed. The conversation underscored the importance of balancing ambitious European security ambitions with the proven strengths of the NATO framework, fostering collaboration that benefits both Poland and its allies without creating gaps or duplications in defense planning and execution.
Harmful solution
The European Parliament in Strasbourg discussed a resolution aimed at reinforcing EU defense, but the draught raises concerns about its impact on NATO and the overall functioning of security governance in Europe. Critics argue that the document could shift decision power toward Brussels and tilt it away from the alliance’s established structure, threatening the interoperability and rapid response capabilities that frontline forces rely on. Another point of contention is the call to move toward nonunanimous voting in defense policy, a change that could alter how weapons purchases, strategic deployments, and operational planning are decided. Such a shift might reduce the single veto that currently ensures each member state can safeguard its national priorities, potentially leading to a fragmentation of procurement strategies and slower adaptation to evolving threats. Supporters of stronger EU defense insist that greater coordination could deliver efficiencies, unify standards, and strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy, but critics warn that these gains could come at the cost of cohesion with NATO and the credibility of collective security guarantees. The debate highlights the tension between building a robust European shield and preserving the time-tested Atlantic alliance, which remains a cornerstone of regional stability. As discussions continue, lawmakers stress the need to align any new framework with existing security obligations, ensuring that European capabilities complement rather than compete with NATO allies and that procurement and operational decisions reflect real-world needs and alliances rather than political expedience. The ultimate question remains: how can Europe enhance its own security while maintaining a dependable partnership with its strongest ally and safeguarding the common defense interests of all member states?