During the plenary session (10-13/12/18) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on European Foreign, Security and Defence Policy. Statements by David McALLISTER (EPP, DE), Ioan Mircea PASCU (S&D, RO) and Federica MOGHERINI, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the EC.

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

McALLISTER, David (EPP, DE)

MOGHERINI, Federica (IT, EC)

CFSP (T)

PASCU, Ioan Mircea (S&D, RO)

European Foreign, Security and Defence Policy: extracts from the debate

SOUNDBITE (English), David McALLISTER (EPP, DE), We all know that we are confronted with a number of interstate conflicts also in our immediate neighbourhood, with terrorism, failed states,cyber attacks and hybrid warfare. The European Union has a growing responsibility to safeguard its own security, while on the other hand defending its interests and values in the world. The time indeed has come for the EU to take its destiny into its own hands and embrace its role as a fully fledged, sovereign political and economic power in international relations.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ioan Mircea PASCU (S&amp;D, RO), The EU need to apply the entire toolbox of available policy instruments from soft to hard power and from short term measures to long term policies. Developing the necessary civilian and military capabilities, as outlined in the global strategy. We conceded that the EU member states must endeavour to improve military capabilities to cover the full spectrum of land, air, space, maritime and cyber capabilities including strategic neighbors to make the EU CSDP a credible force.

SOUNDBITE (English), Federica MOGHERINI, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the EC, We are engaged on a daily basis against nuclear proliferation, but also to prevent new arms races here in Europe and all around the world. Our work on defence stays true to this approach. There is a unique European way to security and defense, a way that is very much needed in the world of today. That is very much appreciated and of which I see a lot of demand. We have somehow a responsibility of exercising this special European way to peace and security. When we send a military mission abroad it is to save lives. It is to protect peace or to help rebuild the country. When we invest in military capabilities it is to defend our citizens from attacks or to put the best technologies to the service of peace. Yes we are investing in Europe's hard power. Finally and we would all prefer that we lived in a world where this was not necessary. But our work on defense is always, always and will always be at the service of peace.

SOUNDBITE (English), Federica MOGHERINI, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the EC, Finally in support of this work we have proposed a very substantive defence package for the next multi-annual financial framework. We want to address the fragmentation that has hampered Europe's defence sector for decades. Again to make national defense investment more effective and efficient than they are today.