The European defence industry reinforcement through common procurement act, or EDIRPA, is a short-term joint defence procurement instrument worth €500 million. It seeks to address the most urgent and critical defence capability gaps and to incentivise EU countries to procure defence products jointly.

EPRS Policy Podcast - European defence industry reinforcement through common procurement act (EDIRPA)

During the plenary sessions MEPs hold debates on foreign affairs and security policy to discuss European Union (EU) action beyond its borders.

The EU Treaties differentiate between common foreign and security policy (CFSP), common security and defence policy (CSDP), external action, and the external dimension of internal policies.

To address new challenges such as climate change, rising insecurity or new migration patterns, the EU has put forward concrete solutions to shape synergy between the actors, in order to use shared expertise more effectively, and to find new sources of funding. The new foreign policy framework (EU global strategy) is intended to map the tools and resources best designed to help society as a whole, in the EU and partner countries, to withstand natural and manmade shocks more effectively. In the years to come, global instability is expected to rise; the challenge for the EU will be to ensure security while upholding the core values of the Treaties – human rights, democracy and the fight against poverty – as its primary objectives on the global stage.

Debates on foreign affairs and security policy

The Special Committee on Terrorism (TERR) was set up in July 2017 and started its work in September 2017 to evaluate how to better fight terrorism. The two co-rapporteurs Ms Monika HOHLMEIER (EPP, DE) and Ms Helga STEVENS (ECR, BE) together with the other TERR Members presented a final report to address the practical and legislative deficiencies in the fight against terrorism. Their recommendations show a way to overcome these deficiencies and to improve the fight against terrorism in the European Union. Meanwhile, the DALTON report asks Internet companies to remove terrorist content within one hour after receiving an order from the authorities to combat radicalisation and contribute to public security.

#EUelections2019 - Fight against terrorism

Security, fight against terrorism and defence are topics of utmost importance and where the European Parliament has been active in passing new laws to help us face challenges in these fields. Important to name in this regard is the PNR directive. This directive regulates the use of Passenger Name Record (PNR) data in the EU for the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of terrorist offences and serious crime.

#EUelections2019 -  PNR

MEPs fought for stronger protection for whistleblowers because in general in Europe there was weak protection. In many countries, whistleblower protection rules tended to be limited in scope.

#EUelections2019  - Whistleblowers

The Commission unveils its internal security strategy at the plenary, and discuss with MEPs its latest proposals to enhance crisis preparedness in the EU.

In response to the current global threat landscape, the EU wants to improve intelligence-gathering to build a comprehensive threat picture, improve preparedness against hybrid threats, building on already-announced measures on protecting undersea cable infrastructure, and enhance measures against serious and organised crime. These may include new actions against drug and firearms trafficking, a deepening of the European Ports Alliance, and a new counter-terrorism agenda.

Internal Affairs Commissioner Magnus Brunner presented an outline of the strategy to the Civil Liberties Committee on 19 March 2025.

In a separate debate on the same day, MEPs will react to the EU’s Preparedness Union strategy, presented by the Commission on 26 March. It contains a wide range of proposals to step up EU preparedness throughout society, including better crisis response coordination, protecting essential services, stockpiling critical materials, and improved civil-military cooperation.

EP Plenary debate on plans to improve the EU’s safety and preparedness

On Tuesday, Parliament assess the outcome of the 6 March Special European Council with Presidents Costa and von der Leyen and discuss the need to bolster Europe’s security.

In a joint debate on European security, MEPs assess the results of the 6 March special European Council convened by President António Costa to discuss Ukraine and European defence and attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. At a critical time for Ukraine and European security, as President Donald Trump’s new US administration has paused support for Kyiv and raised questions about future US defence engagement in Europe, MEPs will hear from Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on how the EU plans to strengthen its defence capabilities.

On Tuesday morning, MEPs also outline their expectations for the 20 -21 March EU summit, which is expected to focus - besides Ukraine - on the Middle East, Europe’s competitiveness, trade policy, and migration management.

In a separate debate on Tuesday afternoon, MEPs and representatives of the Polish Council Presidency and the European Commission discuss the upcoming white paper on the future of European defence, set to be unveiled by the Commission and the European External Action Service in mid-March 2025. The white paper will address defence sector capability issues, industrial competitiveness and investment needs. It should also frame the overall approach to EU defence integration, and outline how best the EU can respond to security threats. Plenary will wind up the debate with a vote on a resolution on Wednesday.

Debate on the EU summits and on the urgent need to bolster Europe’s security architecture

EU leaders are meeting for a special summit to discuss continued support for Ukraine and European defence and exchange views on European contributions to the necessary security guarantees required to ensure a lasting peace in Ukraine.

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is invited to the meeting.

Since the start of Russia’s military aggression, the EU and its member states have provided nearly €135 billion in support for Ukraine and its people, including €48.7 billion to support the Ukrainian armed forces.

The EU has also adopted unprecedented sanctions against Russia: the latest sanctions, adopted on 24 February 2025, target vital areas of the Russian economy, including banking, Putin’s shadow fleet and goods and technologies in the industrial and energy sectors.

More info: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/european-council/2025/03/06/

Special European Council

Visit with the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency to a Civil Bomb Shelter as a part of the European Union’s “Preparedness Union Strategy”

EU Preparedness Union Strategy - Visit to the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency and the RescEU warehouse to examine the medical stockpile and emergency shelters

Press conference on Parliament's annual CFSP and CSDP reports

EP Plenary session - EU Preparedness Union Strategy

EP Plenary session - Presentation of the New European Internal Security Strategy

EP Plenary session - Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP)

EP Plenary session - White paper on the future of European defence

EP Plenary session - European Council meetings and European Security

Roberta METSOLA, EP President and the political group Chairs invite Mark RUTTE, Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and Antonio COSTA, European Council President to participate in the EP Conference of Presidents (CoP), in Brussels.

Meeting of the EP Conference of Presidents in the presence of Mark RUTTE, Secretary General of NATO and Antonio COSTA, European Council President: extracts from the arrivals and roundtable

In a debate held today ahead of the NATO summit in The Hague (24–26 June), Members of the European Parliament and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas emphasized the urgent need to reinforce Europe’s defence. With NATO leaders expected to discuss increased military spending amid Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine and renewed calls from former US President Donald Trump for Europe to take greater responsibility, Kallas warned of Russia’s global threat and underscored the importance of unity and shared commitment. MEPs echoed calls for stepped-up support to Ukraine and a stronger European role within NATO. This news item features key excerpts from the plenary debate in Strasbourg.

Upcoming NATO summit on 24-26 June 2025: extracts from the debate

This infoclip illustrates different aspects of civil preparedness strategy and civil protection, such as a the national and development medical stockpile in Sweden, the RescEU medical stockpile in Sweden and Belgium, the RescEU emergency shelter stockpile in Sweden and the Emergeny Response coordination Centre in Belgium.The Niinistö Report on Preparedness and Readiness of the EU concluded that strengthening Europe's civilian and military preparedness and readiness to address today's growing security challenges is a matter of urgency. The Commission therefore launched the Preparedness Union Strategy to support Member States and enhance Europe's capability to prevent and respond to emerging threats, among other things by way of enhancing crisis response coordination and continuing to strengthen its response capabilities and strategic crisis reserves, including stockpiles (RescEU).

Infoclip: Civil Preparedness Strategy- RescEU

This infoclip illustrates different aspects of civil preparedness strategy and civil protection, such as a citizen buying a crisis preparedness kit, a municipal safety point where citizens can come to get information and electricity in a crisis situation, and a civil defense shelter in Sweden. The Niinistö Report on Preparedness and Readiness of the EU concluded that strengthening Europe's civilian and military preparedness and readiness to address today's growing security challenges – in health, migration, technology security, climate, defense or the economy – is a matter of urgency. The Commission therefore launched the Preparedness Union Strategy to support Member States and enhance Europe's capability to prevent and respond to emerging threats, among other things by way of promoting population preparedness and encourage the public to adopt practical measures, such as maintaining essential supplies for a minimum of 72 hours in emergencies.

Infoclip: Civil Preparedness Strategy

Raise of the European Union flag by the Eurocorps during a ceremony in Strasbourg in the presence of three war veterans: Mr. Robert CHOT, Member of the Royal National Federation of War Volunteers; Mr. Janusz KOMOROWSKI, President of the Association of Home Army Soldiers; and Mr. Janusz MAKSYMOWICZ, Vice-President of the Warsaw Uprising Insurgents Association.

Commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe - Eurocorps flags raising ceremony with the presence of Roberta METSOLA, EP President, and Antonio COSTA, President of the European Council: extracts from the event

David MCALLISTER (EPP, DE) and Nicolás PASCUAL DE LA PARTE (EPP, ES), Rapporteurs, hold a press conference on the Parliament's annual CFSP and CSDP reports. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery

Press conference by David MCALLISTER (EPP, DE) and Nicolás PASCUAL DE LA PARTE (EPP, ES), Rapporteurs, on the Parliament's annual CFSP and CSDP reports

The Commission presents its internal security strategy in plenary, followed by a debate with MEPs. In response to global threats, the EU wants to improve intelligence gathering, strengthen preparedness against hybrid threats, and enhance measures against organised crime. In a second debate, MEPs and the Commission will discuss the “Preparedness Union” strategy, unveiled on 26 March, focused on better crisis response coordination, protecting essential services, stockpiling critical materials, and improved civil-military cooperation.

EU Preparedness Union Strategy: MEPs debate

Hadja LAHBIB, European Commissioner for Equality, and European Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management, presents its internal security strategy in plenary, followed by a debate with MEPs. In response to global threats, the EU wants to improve intelligence gathering, strengthen preparedness against hybrid threats, and enhance measures against organised crime. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

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