Romain Wolff at the DBwV General Assembly

At the 2025 General Assembly of the German Armed Forces Association (Deutscher BundeswehrVerband DBwV) in Berlin, CESI President Romain Wolff underlined the strong European partnership between CESI and the DBwV and the vital role of soldiers as “citizens in uniform.”

Romain Wolff thanked the Association for more than a decade of close cooperation, which has grown from an observer status in 2013 into a trusted and active partnership. He reaffirmed that soldiers are a core part of the public service and deserve fair conditions, respect, and adequate remuneration across Europe.

In view of the challenging geopolitical environment—from Russia’s war against Ukraine to rising hybrid threats—Wolff stressed that Europe’s security ultimately depends not on technology alone, but on the men and women in uniform.

He praised the Assembly’s motto “Unabhängig – Schlagkräftig – Zuverlässig” as a reflection of the values shared by both CESI and the DBwV: independence, impact, and reliability. He also warmly extended congratulations to the re-elected President André Wüstner, wishing him continued strength and success.

Romain Wolff added that Europe is entering a phase in which a difficult balance must be struck. On one side stands the legitimate call for stronger defence capabilities and greater investment; on the other, the equally valid concern that such priorities could place pressure on education, healthcare, and social standards. He emphasized that this is precisely why the voices of CESI and the German Armed Forces Association are essential. According to him, it is vital to ensure that enhanced security never comes at the cost of a robust and equitable welfare state. Defence and social justice, he highlighted, must go hand in hand if the defence union is to remain a project rooted in the interests of EU citizens.

Looking ahead, Wolff called for a balanced approach in Europe: strengthening defence must not come at the expense of social standards. Security and social justice must remain aligned.

He concluded with a call for unity in defending shared European values and congratulated the DBwV on its 2025 Assembly and on 70 years of the Bundeswehr.