European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Monday called for reducing Europe's overdependencies in three key areas — energy, defence, and supply chains — speaking at the eighth European Political Community (EPC) meeting in Armenia. She argued that Europe must become more independent by boosting homegrown renewable and nuclear energy, stepping up military production, and securing reliable supply chains through free trade agreements with like-minded partners.
Von der Leyen identified energy as the first area where Europe is too dependent on imported fossil fuels and volatile global markets. She advocated for increasing assets at home, specifically renewable energies and nuclear energy, describing them as homegrown, cheaper, and reliable. This marks a continuation of the EU's push for energy autonomy, though no new concrete proposals or numerical targets were announced.
On defence and security, the Commission President stressed the need to step up military capabilities to defend and protect Europe. She noted that a vast amount of money is available for investments and urged speeding up production processes for military capabilities. The statement aligns with ongoing EU efforts to bolster defence spending and industrial capacity, but lacked specific timelines or budget figures.
Regarding supply chains, von der Leyen emphasised reaching out to like-minded countries through free trade agreements. She cited the recently concluded deal with Latin America and ongoing negotiations with India and Australia, as well as a planned visit to Mexico. Europe, she said, has the biggest network of free trade agreements, which can ensure stable and reliable supply chains.
The speech contained broad policy direction rather than detailed plans or measurable objectives. It reaffirmed the EU's strategic autonomy agenda without introducing new institutional structures or deadlines. The tone was assertive in calling for reduced dependencies but conciliatory in seeking partnerships through trade.
EU energy producers (renewable and nuclear) stand to benefit from increased policy support and investment, while fossil fuel importers may face reduced market share. Defence contractors could see accelerated procurement and production orders. EU consumers may gain from more stable energy prices and supply chains, but could face higher short-term costs from defence spending. Trading partners like India, Australia, and Mexico could gain from expanded EU trade agreements, boosting their export economies.