At a time of intense geopolitical developments and increased challenges to European security, the Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias referred in a post to the role that the European Union is called upon to play in the coming years.

In particular, in a post on X, on the occasion of the 76th anniversary of the Suman Declaration, Dendias stressed that Europe must strengthen its defensive character and actively protect its member states.

The Defence Minister noted that the EU must act as a “shield” against any threat, pointing to the need for operational implementation of Article 42 para. 7 of the Treaty on European Union, which concerns the mutual defence clause between member states.

Referring to the historical significance of European integration, he wrote: “76 years since the Schuman Declaration, the founding act of the United Europe. A unique project of transnational cooperation in the history of mankind, born out of the ruins of the Second World War and creating a single area of democracy and human rights.

Nikos Dendias also made a special reference to Greece’s position within the European family, stressing that the country is an important factor on the southeastern borders of the European Union.

Specifically, he said: “Greece, a proud member of the European family since 1981, is a pillar of security on the EU’s south-eastern borders and actively supports the project of creating a single defence arm and strengthening its geopolitical role.”

The minister’s statement comes at a time when the debate on a common European defence is back on the agenda, with several European governments calling for greater strategic autonomy and closer cooperation on security issues.

Dendia’s references to the need to activate Article 42.7 are considered particularly important, as they are linked to the overall effort to strengthen Europe’s defence shield against international crises and geopolitical pressures.