(VOVWORLD) - Protecting Europe's eastern flank should be a top priority for the EU in the face of current threats, said Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo following the first Eastern Flank Summit on Tuesday.
The summit brought together leaders from Finland, Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Sweden.
In a joint statement, participants said the current situation requires immediate priority for the EU's eastern flank through a coordinated, multi-sectoral operational approach. They agreed that Europe's eastern flank is a shared responsibility and must be urgently defended in coordination with NATO.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said the EU can play a crucial role in supporting member states’ efforts to strengthen their defense capabilities by identifying funding sources, simplifying regulations, and enhancing military mobility across the bloc. He added that, while the EU and NATO have different roles, they are equally important and complementary in ensuring security along Europe’s eastern flank.