Member states’ representatives approved yesterday the Council’s position on a proposal aiming to incentivise defence-related investments in the EU budget to implement the so-called ReArm Europe plan, an EU initiative to increase defence spending and strengthen the EU’s military capabilities. With a view to facilitating faster, more flexible and coordinated investments in the European defence technological and industrial base (EDTIB), the […]
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EU backs reinforced Europol role on migrant smuggling and trafficking
The European Commission welcomes the provisional political agreement reached today between the European Parliament and the Council to reinforce Europol’s role and inter-agency cooperation in the fight against migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings. This regulation was proposed by the Commission in November 2023. The fight against migrant smuggling is a Commission priority, as President von der […]
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EU backs measures to boost security and defence investments
As part of the ReArm Europe Plan, the measures aim to strengthen Europe’s defence technological and industrial base by channelling EU funding to defence and security. The legislation adopted in the Industry, Research and Energy committee will increase funding for defence-related investment by amending existing EU programmes – the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), Horizon Europe, […]
Read MoreCommission plans €150B SAFE funding to boost Defence Readiness
Last September 9, the European Commission adopted the tentative allocation of €150 billion in financial assistance to strengthen defence readiness across the Union. This major step, taken under the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) programme, is designed to boost the EU’s defence capabilities and help Member States address critical gaps, as well as to purchase defence […]
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Statement by european ministers concerning escalation in the Middle East
The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom (E3), together with the High Representative of the European Union, met with their Iranian counterpart in Geneva on Friday, 20 June 2025. They shared their grave concerns with regard to the escalation of tensions in the Middle East and reiterated their […]
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Agreement reached to suspend visa-free travel over security and rights concerns
EP and Council teams have reached an agreement on grounds for suspending visa-free travel for short stays into the EU. A reform of the mechanism to suspend short-stay visa-free travel into the EU, agreed today between Parliament and Council negotiating teams, will allow the EU to respond more flexibly when countries backslide on important principles […]
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EU addressing military mobility challenges
To improve the movement of military troops, equipment and assets across the European Union and beyond, the European Commission and the EU’s High Representative, have started discussions with stakeholders to develop a Military Mobility Package. This package will address existing infrastructure bottlenecks, procedural obstacles, and capability gaps. It forms part of broader efforts to strengthen […]
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Tenth EU-NATO report highlights joint efforts to strengthen cooperation in face of global security threats
The Council took note of the tenth progress report on the implementation of the 74 common proposals endorsed by the EU and NATO Councils on 6 December 2016 and 5 December 2017. The report confirms that NATO and the EU remain steadfast defenders of international peace and security and the rules-based international order. It stresses that shared security challenges […]
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Commission clears creation of defence joint venture by BAES, JAIEC, and Leonardo
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed creation of a joint venture (‘JV‘) between BAE Systems (Holdings) Limited (‘BAES‘), Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co. Ltd. (‘JAIEC‘), and Leonardo S.p.A. (‘Leonardo‘). This JV will be the prime contractor and lead systems integrator for the Global Combat Air Programme. The Commission’s investigation The […]
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