Kallas, who also serves as EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, urged Member States to spend wisely and collaborate closely amid increasing defence budget demands. Addressing EDA staff, she emphasised that cooperation among Member States, EDA, the European Commission, and industry is essential in shaping that shared defence vision.
Highlighting the importance of closer alignment, she said there is a need to “join forces and break down the barriers between defence policy, capability development and defence industrial policy.” Kallas underscored EDA’s central role in this effort, stating: “This agency is the catalyst to help Member States grow their military capabilities further, and we have a very clear task at hand: defence readiness by 2030.”
During her visit, Kallas held closed-door discussions with EDA Chief Executive André Denk and senior management. She stressed the strategic importance of the agency’s work, which supports Member States in capability planning, procurement coordination, and joint defence innovation.
EDA also provides operational services such as satellite communications, air medical evacuation, cyber defence, and diplomatic clearances for military mobility. Kallas highlighted the value of these efforts as critical to supporting Ukraine and reinforcing European security.
Source: European Defence Agency (EDA).
