(L-R) Ruben Brekelmans, Dutch Minister of Defence; Yuriko Backes, Luxembourg's Minister of Defence; Theo Francken, Belgian Minister of Defence;
Credit: MAE
On Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 April 2025, Luxembourg’s Minister of Defence, Yuriko Backes, participated in the informal meeting of European Union Defence Ministers held in Warsaw under the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
According to a press release issued by Luxembourg’s Directorate of Defence, key topics on the agenda included military support for Ukraine and strengthening Europe’s defence readiness.
During the first working session, EU Defence Ministers, joined virtually by Ukraine’s Minister of Defence, Rustem Umerov, and in the presence of NATO Deputy Secretary General, Radmila Shekerinska, discussed ways to boost European military support for Ukraine, mobilise necessary resources and define the EU’s role in securing a just and lasting peace. Just two weeks after her working visit to Kyiv, Minister Backes reiterated Luxembourg’s commitment to continued military support. “European security and defence begin in Ukraine,” she stated.
The second session focused on building up European defence capabilities, notably through the publication of the White Paper on the Future of European Defence and the ReArm Europe plan. In her remarks, Minister Backes welcomed the European Commission’s initiatives. “Exceptional circumstances require exceptional measures. The publication of the White Paper is only the beginning of a crucial process. We must now step up our efforts,” she noted.
The Directorate of Defence reported that on the sidelines of the meeting, Minister Backes held her first trilateral meeting with Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken and Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans. They exchanged views on current European security and defence matters and discussed potential ways to strengthen Benelux defence cooperation, including joint military support for Ukraine.
On Wednesday 2 April 2025, ahead of the informal ministerial meeting, Minister Backes also took part in a high-level conference on the White Paper on the Future of European Defence, organised by the Polish Presidency of the EU Council.
IK
