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

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

EP Plenary session - Joint Debate - European Security and Defence

EP Plenary session - Strategic Compass and EU space-based defence capabilities

EP Plenary session - Question Time (with the Commission) - The state of implementation of the EU's commitment to provide 1 million rounds of artillery ammunition to Ukraine until March 2024

EP Plenary session - Question Time (Commission) - How to ensure energy security in the EU in 2023

EP Plenary session - The EU’s Foreign, Security and Defence Policy after the Russian invasion of Ukraine

High Level Conference - 24 May 2022 - Shaping civilian CSDP for the future

Meeting of the EP Conference of Presidents with the presence of Jens STOLTENBERG, NATO Secretary General.

Press point by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Jens STOLTENBERG, Secretary General of NATO

This infoclip illustrates women in different roles in defence, peacekeeping and peace advocacy. The footage shows a female peacekeeper in Mali, HRH Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden visiting a military base and its surroundings, and women with different functions in defence.

Infoclip: Women in defence, peacekeeping and peace advocacy

This infoclip illustrates the EU's Strategy for Security and Defence, featuring exterior and interior views of planes on patrol, various navy shots, and footage of drones operated via remote control. It also shows Ukrainian troops and Leopard 2 tanks in action. Footage is courtesy of NATO, see conditions of use: https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/68162.htm

Infoclip: EU Strategy for Security and Defence

Marie-Agnes STRACK-ZIMMERMAN (Renew, DE), Chair of the Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE), gives a press conference on setting up a Standing Committee on Security and Defence. Responding to citizen's expectations and reflecting EP priorities for the 10th legislature, European Parliament political group leaders (President Metsola and chairs of political groups) have decided to upgrade the subcommittees on Security and Defence and on Public Health as full standing committees, as well as the creation of a special committee on democracy shield and one on housing. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press conference by Marie-Agnes STRACK-ZIMMERMAN (Renew, DE), Chair of SEDE Subcommittee, on setting up a Standing Committee on Security and Defence

The EU’s recent report on strengthening Europe’s civilian and defense preparedness addresses the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, rising geopolitical tensions, and climate impacts. It emphasizes a unified approach to crisis management, with stronger cooperation across EU member states and greater integration of civilian and military roles. To enhance security across Europe, the report recommends improving cross-border coordination, speeding up crisis response, and increasing public awareness and engagement. It also stresses the importance of partnerships, particularly with NATO and allies like Ukraine, in facing multifaceted threats. Citizens and private sectors are crucial in building resilience, whether through voluntary involvement or the provision of critical infrastructure.

Presentation of the report on how to enhance Europe’s civilian and defence preparedness and readiness: MEPs debate (part 2)

Presentation of the report on how to enhance Europe’s civilian and defence preparedness and readiness: MEPs debate (part 1)

Former Finnish President Sauli Niinistö presents his report on how the EU can better prepare for future civil and military crises. In his report “Strengthening Europe’s civil and military preparedness and readiness”, the former Finnish President recommends the EU take a more proactive approach to preparedness and comprehensive security instead of merely reacting to shock events, as the world becomes more crisis-prone and less predictable. The report’s recommendations include: better risk analyses; communicating threats to the wider public without causing panic so that citizens can proactively prepare; ensuring that vital parts of society continue to function even in difficult circumstances; rapid decision-making; strengthening civil-military coordination and joint planning; and boosting intelligence cooperation to build resilience against hybrid threats. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Presentation of the report on how to enhance Europe’s civilian and defence preparedness and readiness: address by Sauli Niinistö

After his meeting with Roberta METSOLA, EP President, former Finnish President Sauli Niinistö presents his report on how the EU can better prepare for future civil and military crises. In his report “Strengthening Europe’s civil and military preparedness and readiness”, the former Finnish President recommends the EU take a more proactive approach to preparedness and comprehensive security instead of merely reacting to shock events, as the world becomes more crisis-prone and less predictable. The report’s recommendations include: better risk analyses; communicating threats to the wider public without causing panic so that citizens can proactively prepare; ensuring that vital parts of society continue to function even in difficult circumstances; rapid decision-making; strengthening civil-military coordination and joint planning; and boosting intelligence cooperation to build resilience against hybrid threats.

Presentation of the report on how to enhance Europe’s civilian and defence preparedness and readiness by Sauli NIINISTÖ: extracts from the meeting with Roberta METSOLA, EP President and extract from the address

Opening statements. MEPs engage in a debate with EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell regarding Russian attempts to interfere in Moldova's upcoming presidential elections. Following this discussion, a resolution addressing these concerns will be put to a vote on Thursday. Moldova is set to hold its presidential election on 20 October 2024, coinciding with a referendum on EU membership. Senior Moldovan officials have raised alarms about Moscow's use of hybrid tactics aimed at undermining the country's pro-European government, led by President Maia Sandu, as it seeks to advance its EU integration following the granting of EU candidate status in June 2022.

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