On Wednesday 2 April, the European Parliament highlighted the importance of the European Union achieving greater strategic autonomy and better defence preparedness.
In the report by Nicolás Pascual de la Parte (EPP, Spanish) on ‘The implementation of the common security and defence policy - annual report 2024’, which MEPs adopted by 399 votes to 198 with 71 abstentions, they call for a paradigm shift in the EU’s CSDP to enable the European Union to act decisively in its neighbourhood and on the international stage. The European Parliament stresses “the utmost importance of the EU and its Member States continuing to work on creating a common strategic culture in the area of security and defence”.
“Warmly” welcoming the ‘White Paper’ on defence as a “solid and ambitious roadmap for strengthening Europe’s security”, MEPs called on the Commission and the Member States to implement its various elements without delay.
In particular, they emphasise the need for “increased and targeted” joint investments, joint procurement of defence products “that are, for the most part, designed and manufactured in the EU, and the development of more joint capabilities”.
Endorsing the objectives of strengthening the preparedness of the EU defence industry, the European Parliament calls for the achievement of the full implementation of the internal market for defence products and stresses the need for a newly updated and effective regulatory framework.
The European Parliament is also calling for an increase in defence spending and for innovative solutions to find additional funding before the next Multiannual Financial Framework, which must “genuinely” provide the means for a real defence union.
MEPs also stress the need for partnerships. “As we strengthen our own defence, our alliance and cooperation with the United States remain extremely important, as does coordination with NATO”, they say, also calling for the signing of an EU-UK defence declaration.
Finally, the European Parliament calls for Ukraine to be given military capabilities to put an end to Russia’s war of aggression.
See the report: https://aeur.eu/f/g82 (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant and Isalia Stieffatre)