The European Union (EU) adopted The Versailles Declaration at the informal meeting of the 27 Heads of State and Government on March 10–11, 2022. To recall, it has been 103 years since the Treaty of Versailles, 1919, ended the First World War. Similarly, this diplomatic conclave made this declaration a reference point for a “catalyst” to pursue an open, more resilient, and diversified European economy that can respond to ongoing and potential future crises. Apart from the ongoing humanitarian tragedy in Ukraine, Russia’s invasion represents “a broader threat to European security and stability.” This informal meeting of the European Council in Versailles, Paris, France is a strong basis to address the short, medium, and long-term implications for the European Union and the European economy.
EU leaders declared their intention to collectively rearm in the face of Putin’s threat. The Versailles Declaration says Russia’s war in Ukraine has heralded a “tectonic shift in European history.” It compelled the European entity to become autonomous in food, energy and military hardware. The invasion of Ukraine has shown the urgent need for the EU to take responsibility for its security and rid itself of dependencies. French President Emmanuel Macron remarked that the Versailles Treaty of 1919 had divided Europe, but today’s leaders were uniting due to a “tragic turning point” in Russia’s aggression in the Eurasian theatre.
This declaration underscored food, energy, and defence sovereignty and an open world where Europe’s allies and partners are free to choose like-minded countries and rely on no other country. Macron stated that the declaration is not merely a slogan or a French fantasy of European sovereignty, but the crux of all issues. Macron defended not offering fast-track EU membership to Ukraine. A country that is war-stricken needs support and wherewithal from the EU to help it direly and open it to the “European path.” The European Union’s 2003 political declaration in Thessaloniki, Greece, recognised the European future of the Western Balkans.
The European Council President, Charles Michel, initiated this European Defense in the Declaration. It outlined more investment in European defence capabilities and innovative technologies. So that a substantial increment of defence expenditures and a tight concert of cooperation and coordination of armed forces and procurement complement the enhancement of the European Security System. The EU member-states spend thrice the Russian defence budget. But their military tie-ups are limited to multiple overlaps in their capabilities. The European Commission was entrusted with this role to find weaknesses in Europe’s defences in cooperation with the European Defense Agency and advise on its investment gaps by mid-May 2022. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s decision to set aside €100 billion for defence was welcomed by the EU. The EU is doubling its military funding destined for Ukraine to €1 billion. A deadline of 2027 has been set for the EU to whittle down its dependency on Russian gas, oil, and coal.
Five days after the war in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky submitted the country’s application to accede to the EU. EU leaders stressed that Russia’s military misadventure “grossly violates international law” and “undermines European and global security and stability.” According to the EU’s leadership, Russia and its accomplice, Belarus, bear full responsibility for war crimes. EU leaders welcomed the decision of the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to open an investigation and called for the safety and security of Ukraine’s nuclear facilities to be ensured immediately.
The EU and its member states reiterated their continued commitment to provide coordinated political, financial, material, and humanitarian support as well as assistance in the reconstruction of a democratic Ukraine. It offers temporary protection to all war refugees from Ukraine and commits solidarity to them and the host state. The EU is said to continue to support partners through foreign policy instruments, notably an enhanced European Peace Facility and the forthcoming Strategic Compass. It will guide how to make the EU a stronger and more capable security provider. It focused on the commitment to reinforce reforms that will enhance competitiveness, foster job creation, invest in green and digital objectives and develop the EU’s growth potential. This 27-point Declaratory Statement stresses that Ukraine belongs to the European family. The European Council has invited the European Commission to submit its opinions on the applications of the Republic of Moldova and Georgia.
A dark episode of Russia’s war on Ukraine amid COVID-19 World Order underlined the European need to enhance its supply chain security and to reduce and mitigate strategic vulnerabilities. This declaration aims to strengthen the EU’s competitive base both within the single market and with key third-country partners. A strong EU trade policy to open new doors, reduce and eliminate trade barriers and improve global trade rules is no less imperative. The EU Chambers call for this declaration to trigger the ratification and conclusion of key EU trade agreements, reform and simplify investment in the EU, policy fine-tuning, promoting the quality of human capital, and a fundamentally complete and comprehensive uniform market mechanism and its projects.
There are three key dimensions of strategic autarky – 1. Bolstering defence capabilities; 2. Reducing Europe’s energy dependencies; and 3. Building a more robust economic base. This declaration’s essence is to reduce strategic dependencies on critical raw materials, semiconductors, health, digital, and food. Therefore, Europe’s concern is well contemplated to grapple with untoward and unforeseen troubles emanating from warfare in its immediate theater. It has converged on European leaders to collectively stand firm on European norms and values. A threat to liberalism from its discontents needs astute political and policy management. The world must avoid any under duress from extremism wherein liberal democracy becomes endangered by hyper-nationalism or variants of the far left.
A world that progresses in cooperation and understanding needs to advance liberal and democratic peace. Thus, this Versailles Declaration is expressed in the place where it symbolically ended the First Great War but set a trail to the Second One. This time it congregated to oppose warfare in the continental theatre to defend Europe’s principles that are in danger. To contain threats to the European Foreign and Security Policy (EFSP), this strategic compass can guide and navigate diplomatic and strategic challenges to a better future where partnerships and prosperity are built.
