Étienne Schneider Deputy Prime Minister Minister of Defence Dear Reader, I am pleased to present to you the Luxembourg Defence Guidelines for 2025 and Beyond. This is the first document of its kind in the field of national defence policy. The intention of this ambitious vision for Luxembourg is to set out a coherent policy as a framework for implementing an increasing national defence effort. Luxembourg is a country open to the world and integrated with the international community, in which it plays a recognized role. Luxembourg’s election to a non-permanent member seat on the United Nations Security Council for the term 2013-2014 testifies to the recognition of our country’s contribution to international security. But such recognition also entails responsibilities and a resolute commitment to contribute to the collective ability to address threats to our security. Luxembourg has made concrete commitments towards strengthening European defence within both the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Luxembourg intends to honour these commitments and has defined its contribution to common defence in accordance with its interests and objectives. That contribution is described in these Guidelines. The Government intends to deliver an enhanced, visible, relevant and reliable defence effort. We will create new defence structures in Luxembourg that meet the criteria of military relevance but also our national crisis management requirements. We will equip our armed forces with modern, technological capabilities to service the aspirations of an evolving, open, dynamic and generous country. Emphasis will be placed on human resources, national public and private-sector know-how and on strengthening our engagement with our neighbour countries, in particular those of the BENELUX, who are our key partners in the area of defence policy. Luxembourg and its population wish to continue contributing to national and international security. We have benefited from the security that has prevailed on the European continent since the end of the Second World War. With this new vision for Luxembourg‘s defence, we intend to consolidate that security for ourselves, our partners and future generations. I wish you pleasant reading. Étienne Schneider 03