On Tuesday in Berlin, leading EU politicians called for more independence for Europe when it comes to internal and external security. A “security mindset” is needed in all policy areas at the European level, said EU Interior Commissioner Magnus Brunner at the EUROPE 2026 conference by Tagesspiegel, Die Zeit, Handelsblatt and WirtschaftsWoche. “Europe is the safest place in the world today, but we shouldn’t rest on our laurels.”
Security is the “basic prerequisite” for both economic competitiveness and political freedom, said the conservative Austrian politician. “That’s why we have to bring this topic up everywhere,” from energy policy to migration issues.
Cooperation within Europe has become much better here in recent years, said Brunner. He referred to joint efforts to defend against drones or hybrid attacks on critical infrastructure such as power grids or undersea cables, as well as to the new “Entry/Exit System”, which is intended to monitor entries and exits.
When it comes to migration, for which Brunner is also responsible, his conservative EPP group was recently rocked by a scandal involving agreements with the ultra-right in the EU Parliament. “Of course I would have preferred majorities in the middle,” said the EU Commissioner on Tuesday in Berlin about the accusation that the firewall had been torn down here. “But in terms of content, I’m happy that things are moving forward now.”
The member states had already agreed on tightening migration policy, said Brunner and, with a view to the Social Democrats, the Left and the Greens in Parliament, added: “It’s a shame that some factions are saying goodbye to the content again.”
In contrast to intra-European cooperation, the international exchange of information, for example between the police authorities Europol and Interpol, can still be expanded, said Brunner. “The boundaries between internal and external security are blurring.” That’s why he is in constant communication with the other commission members, especially EU Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius.
© Phil Dera for EUROPE 2026
He spoke at EUROPE 2026 about the ever-increasing calls for a common European army: “This is a debate that we urgently need in Europe.” Europe must replace everything that is currently being provided militarily by the USA, both equipment and soldiers. “A quick reaction force alone will not be enough.”
When it comes to the nuclear defense shield, it will certainly take some time to achieve independence, said the Lithuanian, referring to France’s most recent efforts. “I’m more optimistic about defense capability.”
© Phil Dera for EUROPE 2026
But that is also an economic policy question, said the defense commissioner: “The industry has to become more effective, it has to be able to scale faster,” said Kubilius, who is currently traveling through Europe to get an idea of the production capacities for defensive projectiles against ballistic missiles, as he told the Tagesspiegel.
The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, also said in Berlin: “The responsibility for the defense of the continent lies with us.” She rejected Europe’s entry into the war in the Middle East, as proposed by US President Donald Trump. “Of course we need solutions to combat the price increases, ships need to be protected.”
Metsola confirmed that they still did not want to take part in such a mission. The example of Greenland has shown that the EU can definitely assert its position against the USA under Trump – together with partners like Great Britain.
