The European Union was advised by former Finnish President Sauli Niinistö to establish its own intelligence agency to counter growing security risks. Commissioned by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to review the EU’s defense readiness, Niinistö presented his findings on Wednesday, emphasizing the need for a centralized intelligence service to improve counterespionage coordination and crisis response, particularly amid rising foreign threats to critical infrastructure.
Niinistö’s 165-page report also called for increased defense spending, recommending that the EU allocate up to 20% of its €1 trillion budget toward security and crisis readiness. Currently, national intelligence agencies handle most security threats independently, but Niinistö argued that a shared EU-level service could improve cooperation, manage cross-border threats, and protect strategic assets more effectively. He stated that stronger EU funding would also signal commitment to allies, including the U.S., especially as American foreign policy priorities may shift.
The report comes as Europe faces numerous challenges, including the war in Ukraine and a rise in cyber threats. EU intelligence agencies recently expelled several foreign diplomats accused of espionage, underscoring concerns about infiltration by hostile actors.
Niinistö also proposed an “EU Preparedness Law” to standardize defense measures across member states and address Europe’s shortage of cybersecurity experts, estimated at nearly one million. The recommendations aim to shape the EU’s defense agenda in the coming years, with von der Leyen’s anticipated second term set to include the appointment of the EU’s first-ever defense commissioner.
Expanded Coverage:
