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

President Metsola participates in the Munich Security Conference

EP President, Roberta METSOLA participates in the Munich Security Conference

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte engages in an exchange of views with Members of the Committees on Security and Defence (SEDE) and Foreign Affairs (AFET) as well as in association with the Delegation for relations with the NATO PA (DNAT). Discussion topics include the significant challenges facing the EU and NATO in today's complex geopolitical environment, efforts to strengthen Europe's defence also in view of Russia's ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine, the state and prospects of transatlantic relations, as well as issues of burden-sharing, political cohesion and strategic adaptation.

SEDE/AFET/DNAT Joint meeting - Exchange of views with NATO Secretary General Mark RUTTE

EU foreign affairs priorities. MEPs in the Foreign Affairs Committee quiz EU diplomacy chief Kaja Kallas on topical issues including the peace plan for Ukraine, European defence, EU-US relations, the Middle East, enlargement, and EU neighbourhood policy.

AFET Exchange of views with EU High Representative Kaja KALLAS

MEPs debate the ongoing threats to EU airspace and critical infrastructure posed by Russia and Belarus.

The debate comes after Lithuania shut its border crossings with Belarus at the end of October 2025 after authorities detected smuggling balloons drifting from Belarus into Lithuanian airspace. The balloons, officials say, posed a threat to civil aviation and are part of a continuous hybrid operation orchestrated by dictator Aliaksandr Lukashenka’s Belarusian government.

The plenary debate with the Commission is also expected to refer to a recent explosion on a railway line in Poland, which Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk referred to as “an unprecedented act of sabotage”.

EP Plenary debate on the continuous violations of EU airspace

The new programme is designed to strengthen the EU’s defence industry, foster joint European procurement, ramp up manufacturing and increase support for Ukraine.

The draft regulation, informally agreed with the Council and to be debated and voted on by MEPs in plenary on Tuesday, will establish the first-ever European defence industry programme (EDIP). The scheme seeks to strengthen the European defence technological and industrial base and boost European defence capabilities.

During negotiations with member states, MEPs championed the “buy European” principle: for defence products to secure funding, the cost of their components originating from non-associated third countries cannot exceed 35% of the overall cost of components.

The programme will also set up a legal framework for European defence projects of common interest and a Ukraine Support Instrument (USI). Of EDIP’s €1.5 billion budget, €300 million would go to the USI, to help modernise Ukraine’s defence industry and ease its integration with Europe’s.

EP Plenary debate on the European Defence Industry Programme

MEPs debate recent Russian incursions into EU airspace with representatives of the Danish Council Presidency and the European Commission.

A resolution will be put to a vote on Thursday.

The debate follows incidents in which Russian drones and aircraft violated both Polish and Estonian airspace in recent weeks. It also comes after drones of unidentified origin caused disturbances at and around civilian airports and military bases in Denmark – events that the Danish authorities have referred to as “concerted hybrid attacks”.

EP Plenary debate on Russian violations of EU airspace and critical infrastructure

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

ITRE - Structured dialogue with Andrius Kubilius, European Commissioner for Defence and Space

Joint procurement of defence equipment by the EU has gained renewed strategic importance in response to the recent deteriorating security environment and persistent fragmentation within the European defence market. Although the European Defence Agency set a 35 % collaborative procurement benchmark back in 2007, cooperation among Member States remains limited.

EU joint defence procurement

Press conference on Tackling trade barriers to defence

EP Plenary Session - Joint debate - Defence

Roberta METSOLA, EP President  participates in the Munich Security Conference 2026

EP Plenary Session - Building a stronger European defence in light of an increasingly volatile international environment

AFET SEDE - Exchange of views with Mark Rutte, Secretary General of NATO

EP Plenary session - Drones and new systems of warfare – the EU’s need to adapt to be fit for today’s security challenges

EP Plenary session - Joint debate - CFSP and CSDP

Rapporteur Tobias CREMER (S&D, DE) holds a press conference on tackling trade barriers to defence. This transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press Conference by Tobias CREMER (S&D, DE), rapporteur on tackling trade barriers to defence

At the Munich Security Conference panel “Coalition of the Able? Securing Long-Term Support for Ukraine,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, opens the discussion on how to secure sustained military, financial, and political support for Ukraine. Courtesy: BR24 livestream from Bayerischer Rundfunk.

Munich Security Conference 2026 - Panel Discussion - "Coalition of the Able? Securing Long-Term Support for Ukraine" with the participation of: Opening statement by Volodymyr ZELENSKYY, President of Ukraine

This News item shows cutaways of the participation of EP President Roberta METSOLA to the Munich Security Conference 2025 on 13 and 14 February 2026. This annual summit, considered the world's leading forum on international security policy, brings together more than 1,000 participants from over 115 countries at the Bayerischer Hof Hotel.

Roberta METSOLA, EP President participates at the Munich Security Conference 2025

MEPs vote on: Nicolae Ștefănuță - Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund: application EGF/2025/006 BE/ Audi - Belgium; Željana Zovko - Interim report in view of the consent procedure on the Agreement establishing an association between the EU and the Principality of Andorra and the Republic of San Marino; Michał Szczerba - EU strategic defence and security partnerships; Objection pursuant to Rule 115(2) and (3): Genetically modified soybean DBN-09004-6; Objection pursuant to Rule 115(2) and (3): Genetically modified maize T25; Objection pursuant to Rule 115(2) and (3): Genetically modified cotton GHB614 × LLCotton25; Objection pursuant to Rule 115(2) and (3): Genetically modified cotton T304-40.

Voting session, including EU strategic defence and security partnerships

Andrius KUBILIUS, European Commissioner for Defence and Space, closes the debate on building a stronger European defence in light of an increasingly volatile international environment. At the 2025 NATO Summit, allies committed to raising defence and security spending to 5% of their gross domestic product (GDP) by 2035, more than doubling the previous 2% target. With that in mind, plus Russia’s continuing full-scale war on Ukraine, and ongoing tensions in relations between Europe and the US, the plenary debate focus on current efforts to boost European defence. This includes strengthening military deterrence, supporting Ukraine and reinforcing Europe’s industrial capacity in the defence field.

Building a stronger European defence in light of an increasingly volatile international environment: closing statement by Andrius KUBILIUS, European Commissioner for Defence and Space

MEPs debate on building a stronger European defence in light of an increasingly volatile international environment. At the 2025 NATO Summit, allies committed to raising defence and security spending to 5% of their gross domestic product (GDP) by 2035, more than doubling the previous 2% target. With that in mind, plus Russia’s continuing full-scale war on Ukraine, and ongoing tensions in relations between Europe and the US, the plenary debate focus on current efforts to boost European defence. This includes strengthening military deterrence, supporting Ukraine and reinforcing Europe’s industrial capacity in the defence field.

Building a stronger European defence in light of an increasingly volatile international environment: MEPs debate (part 2)

Building a stronger European defence in light of an increasingly volatile international environment: MEPs debate (part 1)

Andrius KUBILIUS, European Commissioner for Defence and Space, opens the debate on building a stronger European defence in light of an increasingly volatile international environment. At the 2025 NATO Summit, allies committed to raising defence and security spending to 5% of their gross domestic product (GDP) by 2035, more than doubling the previous 2% target. With that in mind, plus Russia’s continuing full-scale war on Ukraine, and ongoing tensions in relations between Europe and the US, the plenary debate focus on current efforts to boost European defence. This includes strengthening military deterrence, supporting Ukraine and reinforcing Europe’s industrial capacity in the defence field. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Building a stronger European defence in light of an increasingly volatile international environment: opening statement by Andrius KUBILIUS, European Commissioner for Defence and Space

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