Protect

The EU has entered the third period of its economic history; a paradigm shift is necessary to align EU policy with economic security needs. There is no alternative in today’s vehemently competitive, fragmented, and shock-prone world. Failure to integrate this agenda into EU policy 2024-2029 could expose current vulnerabilities and have dire consequences for Europe.

The COVID-19 pandemic laid bare national health systems' unpreparedness and structural weaknesses. It also emphasised the disparities in national capabilities among European countries and the lack of a common European approach against cross-border health threats.

Cybersecurity plays an important role in Europe’s economic security. However, advances in quantum computing create a new set of challenges that compromise the level of security of everything happening online. Actors like the United States and some — but not all — EU member states are already taking action to counter current and emerging threats. Yet, European coordination will be necessary to ensure a harmonised and effective response.

As energy ministers meet in Brussels for an emergency meeting on Europe’s energy crisis, we review potential measures to bring down electricity and gas prices and help Europeans face the winter.