The European Union (EU) is currently in a crisis of existence in the face of various threats, commented the Union's Defense and Space Commissioner Andrius Kubilias.

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He expressed this concern at a hearing of the European Parliament's Foreign Relations and Industry, Research and Energy Committee on Wednesday.

General warfare, hybrid attacks and the militarization of space pose major threats to Europe, Kubilius noted.

He also pointed to underinvestment in the EU's defense sector and the fragmentation of Europe's defense equipment market.

According to him, in this situation, strategic rivals, such as China and Russia, have overtaken the EU in the defense sector.

In this context, Kubilius called on European lawmakers to stand by him in his efforts to create a true European Defense Union.

He said that instead of competing with NATO, it is necessary to cooperate with the implementation of NATO's military deterrence plan by developing the EU's defense capabilities and resources.

Kubilias said there was a need to 'spend more, spend well, spend together and spend European means'. At the same time, he emphasized the creation of a proper single market to increase the production and demand of EU defense equipment.

On the matter of space, Kubilius pointed out that Europe must be part of the space revolution. He said the EU should advance flagship space-related programs and ensure Europe's independent access to space.

Kubilias also noted that the lending policies of the European Investment Bank may evolve. He said that the next multi-year financial framework should have larger budget allocations for defense and space sectors. Source: Anadolu Agency