Visit to the Permanent Representation of Luxembourg to the European Union

This Thursday morning, April 10, the Comité Diplomatique had the privilege of visiting the Permanent Representation of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to the European Union in Brussels. The visit began with a detailed presentation by the Ambassador on the mission and functioning of the RPUE. He explained how this key diplomatic institution ensures Luxembourg’s voice is heard in every corner of EU policymaking. Following this insightful introduction, we were invited to ask our questions freely, leading to an open and dynamic exchange.

Defence: Between National Sovereignty and European Cooperation

A significant portion of the discussion focused on defence. Luxembourg maintains a modest military force of around 1,200 to 1,300 personnel, yet the Ambassador stressed the importance of keeping a presence in NATO and UN missions. Even small deployments are essential to ensure Luxembourg remains actively represented on the international stage.

The idea of a fully integrated European army, while often discussed, was deemed politically unrealistic. According to the Ambassador, most EU leaders would be reluctant to hand over the power to deploy national troops to a supranational authority. What is feasible and essential is greater interoperability between national armies to allow smoother cooperation when needed.

Currently, nearly 90% of military equipment used in Europe is procured from non-EU countries. The Ambassador underscored the need to reverse this trend, encouraging more purchases within the Union, particularly from France now the world’s second-largest arms exporter. French arms also come without the usage restrictions often attached to American-made systems.

Trade Tensions: Calm Strategy Amid Economic Pressure

On the economic front, the Ambassador shared his thoughts on the European Union’s response to the recent trade tensions initiated by President Trump. After the announcement of new tariffs, the EU chose not to retaliate hastily. This measured approach proved strategic, as economic pressure eventually led the US administration to suspend the excessive tariffs for 90 days. Meanwhile, high tariffs of around 10% remain in place on China and other non-EU countries. According to the Ambassador, the EU made the right choice by not responding impulsively, and by carefully navigating the situation to preserve its economic interests.

Defence Spending: A Political Equation

The question of defence spending was also addressed. While Luxembourg is committed to its NATO obligations, its current level of defence investment remains below the alliance’s 2% GDP target. Reaching this threshold or an even higher one, should it be raised to 3.5% at the June summit would require tripling the country’s current military budget. This presents complex political challenges : such an increase must be financially sustainable, should not inflate national debt (currently at a healthy 21% of GDP), and must avoid cuts to vital sectors like education.

Geopolitics, COREPER, and Influence

We also addressed pressing geopolitical issues, including the ongoing war in Ukraine and the broader question of Europe's competitiveness on the global stage. The Ambassador reminded us of the importance for Luxembourg to be present and active in both NATO and the UN, even with a limited number of troops.

Turning to institutional matters, we discussed the influential role played by Luxembourg within the EU through its active participation in COREPER I and II. The country may be small, but its network is far from it. While embassies worldwide typically have between three and five staff members, the Luxembourgish Permanent Representation in Brussels counts no fewer than 92 employees.

Hungary, Article 7, and Shifting Alliances

Lastly, we examined internal EU politics, notably the case of Hungary and its recent conflicts with Brussels. While Poland had long been Hungary’s main ally in the context of Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union, the Ambassador suggested that Slovakia could now assume that role, potentially reshaping regional balances within the Council.

Conclusion of a stimulating diplomatic meeting

This visit was an extraordinary opportunity to deepen our understanding of Luxembourg’s European engagement and strategic thinking. We thank His Excellency and the entire team of the Luxembourg Permanent Representation for their hospitality and the fruitful discussions we had.