© Danish Presidency
Defence Minister Yuriko Backes joined her EU counterparts in Copenhagen this week to discuss bolstering support for Ukraine and strengthening Europe's collective defence.
Luxembourg's Minister of Defence Yuriko Backes took part in an informal meeting of European Union defence ministers in Copenhagen on 28 and 29 August, where discussions focused on support for Ukraine and strengthening European defence cooperation.
During the first working session, ministers held an exchange with Ukrainian Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal, who joined via videoconference, and NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Sekerinska. According to a statement from the Luxembourg government, talks centred on how the EU can help ensure a "just and lasting peace in Ukraine", including strengthening military support, potentially adapting the mandate of the European Union Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM), and increasing investments while integrating Ukraine into EU initiatives.
Backes underlined Luxembourg's commitment to EU efforts, stating that the Union aims for "credible security guarantees for Ukraine" and is already preparing for a potential "day after" in case a ceasefire or peace agreement is reached. She emphasised support for building a strong and well-equipped Ukrainian armed force "capable of deterring Russia and defending Ukraine", adding that Ukraine's security is inseparable from Europe's own.
"Ukraine is committed to Europe's security, and it is up to us to give them the means to do so", Minister Backes emphasised in her statement.
The second working session focused on reinforcing European defence readiness through the Defence Readiness 2030 White Paper and the ReArm Europe plan. Backes welcomed progress on the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) but stressed that the budget must match ambitions, particularly to support small and medium-sized enterprises vital to the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (BITDE).
A final session reviewed the eight ongoing EU military missions and operations under the Common Security and Defence Policy.
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Talks on gender equality and diversity
On 28 August, ahead of the defence ministers' meeting, Backes also met with Danish Minister of Environment and Gender Equality Magnus Heunicke in her role as Luxembourg's Minister for Gender Equality and Diversity. According to the government statement, discussions highlighted Denmark's EU presidency priorities on gender equality, inclusion, and diversity, including "combating violence against women and domestic violence, promoting women's rights over their bodies, advancing LGBTIQ+ rights, and involving men and boys in gender equality efforts".
Both ministers are further said to have exchanged "best practices for tackling gender-based violence" and reaffirmed their commitment to European values of respect, tolerance, and inclusion, stressing their importance at a time of "global opposition to women's and minority rights".
