Olaf Scholz proposed a new European air defense system, which is part of a series of proposals put forward by the German chancellor to improve the continent’s adaptation and reform the EU’s governance after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Financial Times reports, citing Rador.

In a speech in Prague on Monday, Scholz said Germany plans to make “significant” investments in air defense in the coming years, and its European neighbors are being invited to participate in the project from the start.

“We have a lot of catching up to do in Europe in terms of our defense against air and space threats,” Scholz said.

He also promised that Germany would continue to send the most advanced weaponry to Ukraine, including anti-aircraft and radar systems and reconnaissance drones, noting that Germany could take “special responsibility” for strengthening Ukrainian artillery.

Germany will also ensure the operational capability of the European Rapid Response Force in 2025.

Much of the talk at Charles University in Prague focused on making Europe more “sovereign”, better able to defend itself against external aggression and more effectively countering competition from countries like China.

Scholz said EU countries must develop a “peaceful pledge” to the bloc, ensuring it is “able to defend its security, independence and stability in the face of external challenges”.

Scholz is widely praised in Europe for responding to Russia’s war in Ukraine by beginning a restructuring of Germany’s foreign and military policy, pledging to end the country’s energy dependence on Russia, support Ukraine with arms and invest much more in the German military.

But since then, opposition politicians have accused Scholz of providing half-hearted aid to Kyiv and lacking a strategic vision for Germany and Europe. The Prague speech is his attempt to silence these opponents.

Germany’s chancellor reiterated his support for EU enlargement, saying six Western Balkan countries should join the bloc, along with Ukraine and Moldova, and in the more distant future, Georgia.

All these countries “belong to us, the free and democratic part of Europe,” he declared. Scholz also said that Croatia, Romania and Bulgaria should be admitted to the EU Schengen area.

But EU enlargement will require changes to the bloc’s rules, especially on the decision-making process, Scholz said, saying he would like to see a move to qualified majority voting on foreign and fiscal matters, “knowing very well that this will affect Germany and Germany”.

However, he acknowledged that smaller EU countries were reluctant to accept the proposal, suggesting that it should initially be limited to areas such as sanctions and human rights, “areas where it is particularly important to speak with one voice”.

Scholz also suggested changing the composition of the European Parliament and the European Commission, but without details.

He called for closer military coordination between EU states, regular meetings of defense ministers in Brussels, and closer cooperation between European arms manufacturers and joint military projects.

Scholz also announced his support for a proposal put forward in May by French President Emmanuel Macron for a broad “community” of European democracies, including non-EU countries.

He said there was a need for a forum where EU and non-EU leaders “could meet once or twice a year to discuss key issues that affect the whole continent: security, energy, climate or communication “connection”.