In the Sejm, a lively discussion about the future of European defence and the function of NATO in the context of the plans of the European People's organization (EPP) has intensified. Members of the Law and Justice have asked the Prime Minister a question about the possible "marginalisation of NATO" by creating parallel defence structures within the European Union. The debate was attended by Marcin Ociepa and Cezary Tomczyk, among others, and the subject aroused quite a few emotions in the Polish public space.
Law and Justice demands clarification: Does the EU want to replace NATO?
The question raised by the PiS afraid the plans of the European People's Party, which, according to the ruling party, seeks to marginalise NATO by creating parallel defence structures within the EU. PiS Members expressed concerns that these plans could lead to associate States relinquishing their powers of defence policy to the European Commission.
On Wednesday, the European Parliament voted on amendments to the resolution on the White Paper on the future of European defence. The paper includes an amendment recognising the Shield of the East as a flagship task for EU security. However, the resolution besides contains controversial provisions which, according to the Law and Justice, may lead to the transfer of national defence powers to the hands of EU institutions.
NATO-bis? Heat warns against duplication of competence
In his speech, Mr Ociepa, Mr PiS, highlighted the danger of creating a NATO-bis within the EU. “You were so arrogant of NATO, you participated in all appeals, celebrations, you published NATO flags, you enjoyed the 26th anniversary of Poland’s accession to NATO, and present you are putting your hand in building NATO-bis”, Ociepa said, directing your words to representatives of the coalition.
The politician stressed that NATO is the strongest defence alliance in the world, which has developed emergency consequence mechanisms. “If there is simply a threat, they will act,” he said. At the same time, he warned against attempts by the EU to duplicate the Alliance's competences. "There are always ambitions in the European Union in this area, an effort to take distant associate States' competences in defence policy," he added.
He besides criticised the resolution of the European Parliament, claiming that it could not be imported into the Shield of the East alone. "There is no agreement to lie to the Polish public that the European Parliament resolution was about the Shield of the East, due to the fact that the points of this resolution are 89, and there is simply a passage of 1 of the points about the Shield of the East," he stressed.
Tomczyk: NATO will stay the foundation of Poland's security
In consequence to PiS allegations, Cezary Tomczyk, Deputy Minister of National Defence, took the floor. In his opinion, the question posed by the Law and Justice contained a “liable thesis”. “NATO will stay the foundation of defence of Poland and Europe,” said Tomczyk.
The politician stressed that Poland will proceed to base its safety on the North Atlantic Alliance, and that possible EU initiatives are only to supplement and not replace NATO.
Is the EU moving towards its own army?
The debate in the Sejm has shown that the subject of the future of European defence raises many emotions and controversy. Although the European Parliament's resolution has no legal force, it expresses a political will that can affect future legislative decisions.
Is the European Union moving towards creating its own defence structures that could compete with NATO? The answer to this question remains open, but 1 thing is certain – Polish politicians will closely follow developments to guarantee that Poland's safety remains a priority.
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