Alexander De Croo said the European Union's long-term budget must balance defence and aid funding to ensure European security [1].
This perspective challenges the traditional view that military spending and humanitarian aid are competing interests. By framing them as complementary, De Croo suggests that stability cannot be achieved through military strength alone, but requires the simultaneous mitigation of the root causes of conflict through development assistance.
De Croo, who serves as the administrator for the United Nations Development Programme and is a former Prime Minister of Belgium, said the two types of spending are essential components of a single strategy [1]. He said that the EU's financial planning should reflect this interdependence to maintain regional safety [2].
The argument centers on the idea that security is not merely the absence of war, but the presence of stability and sustainable development. According to De Croo, neglecting aid in favor of defence, or vice versa, creates vulnerabilities that could undermine the overall security architecture of the continent [1].
This call for a balanced budget comes as the European Union continues to navigate a complex geopolitical landscape. The integration of development goals into security frameworks is intended to create a more holistic approach to crisis management [2].
De Croo said the long-term budget should balance defence and aid funding as they are both crucial for European security [1].
“Defence and aid spending are two sides of the same coin”
This shift in rhetoric reflects a strategic effort to integrate 'soft power' and 'hard power' within the EU's fiscal policy. By arguing that aid is a prerequisite for security, De Croo is advocating for a budget that treats poverty reduction and infrastructure development as preventative security measures rather than separate charitable endeavors.
