The EU is set to review the way it has implemented the so-called permanent structured cooperation in the field of security and defence - PESCO for short - before the end of the year. It’ll be an opportunity to review strengths and weaknesses and see how to better match ambitions with capabilities to pursue its own security interests and become a strategic global security provide… but without clear purpose and direction, the EU’s quest for “strategic autonomy” could end up being little more than a catchphrase.

EPRS policy podcast - PESCO: Ahead of the strategic review

SEDE Committee - Exchange of views with Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for Internal Market - Presentation of the EDIS and the EDIP

The widespread use of military drones spans reconnaissance, strikes, logistics and naval operations, with both state and non-state players increasingly relying on unmanned systems. The European Union (EU) has prioritised drone development and countermeasures, funding and coordinating research and capability development through the European Defence Fund and Permanent Structured Cooperation. The EU is also fostering synergies between the civilian and the defence sectors, addressing strategic dependencies and collaborating with NATO. Meanwhile, drone regulation remains fragmented: civilian drones are subject to comprehensive EU rules, while military drone use falls under international law. The European Parliament has called for transparency, adherence to international law and a ban on LAWS, while supporting defence innovation and proposing an EU drone package to stimulate joint procurement and industry participation.

Most common drone uses

Russia's war on Ukraine has been a wake-up call for many EU Member States' defence budgets. Rising from €218 billion in 2021 to €326 billion in 2024, a further increase of at least €100 billion is projected by 2027. Despite these significant increases, most experts note that current geopolitical developments will require much more.

EU Member State defence expenditure

SEDE Committee - Public Hearing: the European defence industry and the urgent need to replenish defence stockpiles within the EU

SEDE Committee - Exchange of views with Margarita Robles, Minister of Defence of Spain, on  Spanish Presidency of the Council programme

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Claudio GRAZIANO, Chairman of the European Union Military Committee

David SASSOLI, EP President meets with General Claudio GRAZIANO, Chairman of the European Union Military Committee (EUMC)

SEDE seminar - NATO's 70th anniversary : future challenges for the Alliance

SEDE meeting - Exchange of views with General Claudio GRAZIANO, Chairman of the European Union Military Committee (EUMC)

SEDE seminar - Ten years of CSDP - Study presentation and exchange of views

This news item focuses on the plenary debate around the programme of Poland's Council Presidency, which began on 1st January. This debate follows up on the presentation of the priorities delivered by the Polish Prime Minister, Donald TUSK. The Polish government has stated that its second EU Presidency comes “at a time of uncertainty and concern” with regard to the consequences of Russia’s three-year-long war against Ukraine, rising geopolitical tensions, migration pressure and declining European competitiveness. Poland’s objective is to strengthen European security in all dimensions, including protection of both external and internal borders, economy, energy, food and health. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Presentation of the programme of activities of the Polish Presidency with Donald TUSK, Polish Prime Minister: arrival, meeting with Roberta METSOLA, EP President and extracts from the debate

Amidst significant geopolitical uncertainty and threats, MEPs are set to call for decisive action to strengthen and protect the international rules-based order. EP Plenary holds a joint debate on how to strengthen European security and defence with the Council and Commission.In the draft report on the implementation of the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy for 2023, MEPs urge the EU to develop robust strategic alliances, to accelerate EU enlargement and reform decision-making processes in response to a new geopolitical context. Parliament also assesses the implementation of the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy report in the context of a rapidly deteriorating global security environment. Both reports will be put to a vote on Wednesday.

Joint Debate - European Security and Defence: closing statements by Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission and Mathieu MICHEL, Belgian State Secretary for Digitisation

Joint Debate - European Security and Defence: MEPs debate part 1

Joint Debate - European Security and Defence: round of political group speakers and Rapporteurs

Amidst significant geopolitical uncertainty and threats, MEPs are set to call for decisive action to strengthen and protect the international rules-based order. EP Plenary holds a joint debate on how to strengthen European security and defence with the Council and Commission. In the draft report on the implementation of the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy for 2023, MEPs urge the EU to develop robust strategic alliances, to accelerate EU enlargement and reform decision-making processes in response to a new geopolitical context. Parliament also assesses the implementation of the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy report in the context of a rapidly deteriorating global security environment. Both reports will be put to a vote on Wednesday. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Joint Debate - European Security and Defence: opening statement by Mathieu MICHEL, Belgian State Secretary for Digitisation, and Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission

This news item shows extracts from the signature of six COD LEX texts by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and José Manuel ALBARES BUENO, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the Spanish Presidency of the Council. The six COD LEX texts are about consumer credits, ensuring a level playing field for sustainable air transport , on the promotion of energy from renewable sources, on geographical indication protection for craft and industrial products, on establishing the European defence industry Reinforcement through common Procurement Act and on the labelling of organic pet food.

LEX signing ceremony: signature of six COD LEX texts by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and José Manuel ALBARES BUENO, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the Spanish Presidency of the Council

MEPs debate on new rules to incentivise EU countries to jointly procure defence products and support the EU’s defence industry. The new regulation, already agreed with member states, establishes a short-term instrument to boost the European defence industry through common procurement (EDIRPA) through to 2025. The tool should help member states address their most urgent and critical defence needs, especially those which have been exacerbated by the transfer of defence products to Ukraine, in a voluntary and collaborative way. Opening statement by Michael GAHLER (EPP, DE) and Zdzisław KRASNODĘBSKI (ECR, PL), Rapporteurs, Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Karlo RESSLER (EPP, HR), Rapporteur for BUDG. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

European Defence Industry Reinforcement through common Procurement Act (EDIRPA): opening statement by Michael GAHLER (EPP, DE) and Zdzisław KRASNODĘBSKI (ECR, PL), Rapporteurs, Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment

MEPs debate on new rules to incentivise EU countries to jointly procure defence products and support the EU’s defence industry. The new regulation, already agreed with member states, establishes a short-term instrument to boost the European defence industry through common procurement (EDIRPA) through to 2025. The tool should help member states address their most urgent and critical defence needs, especially those which have been exacerbated by the transfer of defence products to Ukraine, in a voluntary and collaborative way. Closing statement by Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Michael GAHLER (EPP, DE) and Zdzisław KRASNODĘBSKI (ECR, PL)

European Defence Industry Reinforcement through common Procurement Act (EDIRPA): closing statement by Virginijus SINKEVIČIUS, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Michael GAHLER (EPP, DE) and Zdzisław KRASNODĘBSKI (ECR, PL)

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