Press conference by Zdzisław KRASNODĘBSKI (ECR, PL) on and Michael GAHLER (EPP, DE), rapporteurs on establishing the European defence industry reinforcement through common procurement act. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Brussels

common security and defence policy (T)

GAHLER, Michael (EPP, DE)

Security and defence (T2)

press conference

KRASNODĘBSKI, Zdzisław (ECR, PL)

Press conference by Zdzisław KRASNODĘBSKI (ECR, PL) on and Michael GAHLER (EPP, DE), rapporteurs on establishing the European defence industry reinforcement through common procurement act

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/69898601/1682429046379_I240272Chapters%5BSD-EN%5D.srt

SOUNDBITE (English), Zdzisław KRASNODĘBSKI (ECR, PL), Rapporteur, Thank you very much. I must say, I am very satisfied. We finished today this. I will work on this stage in the ITRE and the AFET Committee. This was four months of very intense work and also a little complicated than usually, because we had a two leading committees, subcommittee SEDE, that means also AFET.

SOUNDBITE (English), Zdzisław KRASNODĘBSKI (ECR, PL), Rapporteur, But ITRE, so my Committee, when I was the main rapporteur, but also the Committee IMCO, which has some extra competences of the three articles. But notwithstanding this, that there was a division of the work, I would say, we work a very harmonious and I think we share all three, and especially Mr. Gahler, and I would like to thank you for very good cooperation.

SOUNDBITE (English), Zdzisław KRASNODĘBSKI (ECR, PL), Rapporteur, We work really harmonious together if there are differences, we all knew the reason why is and what is, I would say, it's very positive. Also, an example of that, so and we, as you said already today, we have a very strong and actually mandate. There was an abstention especially in the vote of ITRE concerning the questions.

SOUNDBITE (English), Zdzisław KRASNODĘBSKI (ECR, PL), Rapporteur, Because I think now, our colleagues, also political group, really now have a precise position concerning cover a common defence and publicy especially in industrial aspects of this policy. What I would like also to stress that this EDIRPA is not money to buy the weapons, but also to facilitate, only to facilitate, the cooperation beetwen the States, for common procurement. It is not money given to the defense industry, but it is just, I would say, contribution to make our common endeavour more effective, until we all know the critical situation concerning the war in Ukraine. And EDIRPA has two aspects. The main objective, is also in terms of the future of sustaining the European defense industry, where we worked on this.

SOUNDBITE (English), Zdzisław KRASNODĘBSKI (ECR, PL), Rapporteur, I think the Commission will announce its investment plan in the defence industry very soon. But on the other hand, of course we have to deal with this very tragic situation and to replenish our stock base and to make our aid to Ukraine effective. And it was very important that we all share the same understanding of the situation.

SOUNDBITE (English), Zdzisław KRASNODĘBSKI (ECR, PL), Rapporteur, So, in this way we could find good solutions, we will see. I am also very optimistic concerning trialogue with the Council and with the Commission. It looks like the Council is quicker than the Parliament because of the European peace facility. But, we all know that under some problems, in this way, while in the Parliament we may be shown that we could be sometimes even more effective, even if the democracy needs time, as we all know. Because it is required for the negotiation between, you know, different political approaches. So, maybe I now give the floor to my esteemed colleague.

SOUNDBITE (English), Michael GAHLER (EPP, DE), Rapporteur, Thank you very much. Today's vote of Foreign Affairs and Industry Committee on the EDIRPA Regulation it marks a historic moment for European defence and the European Parliament. For the first time, the EU is going to set up an instrument to bring EU member states closer together in defence by providing funding to incentivise joint procurement of EU Member states.

SOUNDBITE (English), Michael GAHLER (EPP, DE), Rapporteur, This instrument is not only urgently needed but also has been long overdue for three main reasons. First, Russia's war of aggression against and Ukraine and the problems arising from supplying Ukraine with ammunition and defence products has made it obvious that we neglected our defence for far too long.

SOUNDBITE (English), Michael GAHLER (EPP, DE), Rapporteur, Even worse, Europe needs to prepare for a time of much more intense geopolitical competition and even tension. And in such a competition, military power is an essential currency not to threaten our adversaries, but to being able to deter them in order to protect our values interests, as well as the international rules based order.

SOUNDBITE (English), Michael GAHLER (EPP, DE), Rapporteur, That requires us to work more closely together in Europe if we want to fulfil our duty towards our citizens and ensure their protection. Also, our citizens call for that in all the polls that are available. Secondly, while the desolate state of European defence has been known for some time and also EU Member States seem to have generally understood the need to work closer together, their actions are still far behind of what is necessary.

SOUNDBITE (English), Michael GAHLER (EPP, DE), Rapporteur, For instance, already in 2007, member States committed themselves to conducting 35% of their defence investments together. Last year they had only reached a level of 18%. And thirdly, in order to improve defence cooperation, as well as to contribute to the consolidation of our defence industry several instruments have already been set up on the European level.

SOUNDBITE (English), Michael GAHLER (EPP, DE), Rapporteur, With regard to industrial consolidation the European Defence Fund has already proven to be a valuable instrument to bring companies from different Member States together. While this instrument addresses the supply side of European defence, it is essential to complement it also by addressing the demand side the EU Member States.

SOUNDBITE (English), Michael GAHLER (EPP, DE), Rapporteur, Pooling demand from Member States to our industry will lead to economies of scale, thus a better value for taxpayers money as well as improved interoperability and interchangeability between European armed forces. And that is where EDIRPA comes into play. We are making a first, even though rather small step in this direction, and I wish it would have not needed a war in Europe to come to that point, but better late than never.

SOUNDBITE (English), Michael GAHLER (EPP, DE), Rapporteur, For us also in the Subcommittee on Security and Defence, it is important that we have been involved on an equal footing for the first time with the industry committee in a legislative procedure related to Defence that does not only allow for bringing expertise for this important regulation, but also strengthens the Parliament's scrutiny in European security and defence in the long term, especially with regard to future legislative initiatives in this field.

SOUNDBITE (English), Michael GAHLER (EPP, DE), Rapporteur, I would like to outline some key elements. While the Commission proposed a budget of 500 million, we called for doubling the budget to 1 billion, given the need and the reasons outlined before. We also want to provide EU Member States with the possibility to procure additional quantities for Ukraine and Moldovam for obvious reasons.

SOUNDBITE (English), Michael GAHLER (EPP, DE), Rapporteur, And this would support the objective of the instrument to strengthen our industry through additional demands and at the same time it would serve our security interests, especially with regard to the current 155 millimetres initiative.

SOUNDBITE (English), Michael GAHLER (EPP, DE), Rapporteur, And in order to encourage Member states to support Ukraine and Moldova, as well as to support EU members on the eastern flank that heavily drained their stocks providing ammunition and equipment to Ukraine we introduced differentiated caps that allow for increased financial contributions from the instrument in these cases.

SOUNDBITE (English), Michael GAHLER (EPP, DE), Rapporteur, And furthermore, we extended the scope of the instrument to also cover combat medical equipment and added an article that obliges the Commission to take measures to foster the development of critical components coming from outside of the Union, thus reducing our dependency from suppliers outside.

SOUNDBITE (English), Michael GAHLER (EPP, DE), Rapporteur, Once again, also from my side, thanks to the co-rapporteur and the constructive negotiations with the other groups. I would have liked also to see the support from the Greens, but that was not available.

SOUNDBITE (English), Michael GAHLER (EPP, DE), Rapporteur, Nevertheless, I am convinced that we achieved good positions for the upcoming negotiations with the Council and also thanks to all assistance, group advisors and staff of the Secretariat who have displayed a high degree of commitment to make this Regulation a success. Thank you.

Q&A, Question regarding the amount of contributions for EU support stated in the EIDRA.

Q&A, Question regarding on how the 1 billion euros budget was achievedm and another question on when the negotiation with the Council and the Commission are supposed to start.

Q&A, Question regarding the number of people who abstained or voted against the package.

Q&A, Question regarding the matter of the Commission thinking of withdrawing the proposal, another question about the problem of the need for some of the equipments to be made in Europe and a third question on the coordonation of the regulation with EDIDP.

Q&A, Question regarding the negotiations with the Council.