Alexander De Croo said the European Union's long-term budget should balance defence and aid spending to ensure regional security [1].
This proposal addresses the tension within the EU's multi-annual financial framework, where member states often debate whether to prioritize military readiness or international development. By linking these two priorities, De Croo suggests that stability in Europe cannot be achieved through military power alone, but requires the simultaneous mitigation of global crises through humanitarian support.
De Croo, who serves as the United Nations Development Programme administrator and is a former Belgian Prime Minister, said the two types of spending are "two sides of the same coin" [1]. He said the EU's financial planning must reflect this interdependence to maintain a safe continent [2].
According to De Croo, the integration of these strategies is not a matter of choosing one over the other. He said that the EU's long-term budget must balance defence and aid because both are essential for European security [2].
He further emphasized the need for a holistic approach to stability. "We need to see defence and humanitarian assistance as complementary pillars of a safe Europe," De Croo said [3].
The call for a balanced budget comes as the EU continues to navigate a complex security landscape. By framing aid as a security tool, De Croo aligns the goals of the UNDP with the strategic interests of the European Union, suggesting that humanitarian investment acts as a preventative measure against the very conflicts that necessitate defence spending [1].
“Defence and aid spending are two sides of the same coin.”
This perspective shifts the conversation on EU spending from a zero-sum game between 'guns and butter' to a strategic synergy. By framing humanitarian aid as a component of security infrastructure, De Croo is advocating for a 'soft power' approach to be formally codified in the EU's financial architecture, arguing that long-term stability is dependent on addressing the root causes of instability through aid.
