European business organisations: The role of businesses must be acknowledged in the EU’s Preparedness Union – improvements needed in information flow
The private sector’s role must be better acknowledged to strengthen European security and preparedness. The Confederation of Finnish Industries EK appeals to EU decision-makers, together with its sister organizations from Poland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Estonia, Lithuania, and the Czech Republic, to intensify cooperation between businesses and authorities. The key is improving two-way information flow.
EU member state leaders are gathering today for an informal meeting to discuss strengthening European defense and security. Finland’s former president Sauli Niinistö has also laid the groundwork for this topic, having submitted his report on the future EU Preparedness Union to the Commission last autumn. The Commission is expected to make its first proposals regarding the Preparedness Union in March.
Business organisations have today published a joint statement for decision-makers on defense, security, and preparedness. Signatories include EK, along with central organizations from the EU presidency country Poland, as well as Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Estonia, Lithuania, and the Czech Republic.
The organizations believe that achieving the EU’s objectives requires close cooperation between defense and security authorities and businesses, as companies provide many critical services for society and citizens. Key words for cooperation are voluntariness and mutual trust. At the same time, the organizations remind that businesses need a strong European economy and a well-functioning Single Market to perform these tasks.
The organizations propose measures in five key areas
- Cooperation between authorities and businesses should be increased, e.g., by concluding agreements on the supply of critical products and services in threat and disruption situations (Public-Private Partnerships).
- The situational awareness and expertise offered by companies should be utilized more extensively in maintaining the operational capacity of supply chains and critical infrastructure.
- Acknowledging the crucial role of businesses in improving cybersecurity.
- Recognition of the importance of corporate innovation in developing defense and dual-use products.
- Successful cooperation, however, requires authorities to share more extensively information and analysis on threat situations and provide guidance to companies on preparedness.
Joint statement of the 8 European business organisations