On March 19th, the Commission and the High Representative presented a White Paper for European Defence – Readiness 2030. The Commission has also presented, as part of the ReArm Europe Plan/Readiness 2030, an ambitious defence package providing financial levers to EU Member States to drive an investment surge in defence capabilities. While the ReArm Europe Plan/Readiness […]
Read More
The Council adds one entity to its autonomous list of sanctions associated with ISIL (Daesh) and Al-Qaida.
On 17 March the Council decided to add Al Azaim Media Foundation to the EU autonomous list of persons, groups, undertakings and entities associated with ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida and therefore subject to EU restrictive measures. Al Azaim Media Foundation is the media arm of the Islamic State-Khorasan. With the 17 March decision, the autonomous […]
Read More
Parliament urges the EU to guarantee its own security
The EU is facing a turning point in its history, and “maintaining the status quo is no longer an option” in the face of attacks and threats to European security. In a resolution adopted on Wednesday, Parliament urged the EU to act urgently to ensure its own security. This requires, according to MEPs, strengthening its […]
Read More
New headquarters for civilian security and defense missions.
The European External Action Service (EEAS) has unveiled the new Civilian Operations Headquarters for all EU civilian crisis management missions deployed under the umbrella of the Common Security and Defence Policy. Following a decision by the High Representative Kaja Kallas, the new Civilian Operations Headquarters (CivOpsHQ) aims to enhance the impact of the 13 EU […]
Read More
Commission proposes to align the protection status of the wolf in EU legislation to the Bern Convention
Today, the Commission is proposing a targeted amendment of the annexes of the Habitats Directive. This will align the Habitats Directive to the changed protection status of the wolf from ‘strictly protected’ to ‘protected’ under the Bern Convention, which entered into force today. The Commission’s proposal will give additional flexibility to Member States in managing their local wolf […]
Read More
Statements by President Von der Leyen on the new defence package
We are living in the most momentous and dangerous of times. I do not need to describe the grave nature of the threats that we face. Or the devastating consequences that we will have to endure if those threats would come to pass. Because the question is no longer whether Europe’s security is threatened in […]
Read More
EU defence policy in figures
The EU and its Member States are determined to increase and enhance joint defence spending in response to the unprecedented security challenges and threats facing Europe today. How much do EU member states spend on defence? Between 2021 and 2024, total defence expenditure by EU Member States increased by more than 30%. In 2024, it […]
Read MoreCommission brings relief to European consumers and businesses with Action Plan to save €260 billion annually by 2040
The EU is at a crucial turning point for its competitiveness, decarbonisation and security, with a clear need to act. Structurally high energy costs are hurting our citizens and businesses. The challenges are clear, and so is the role of the European Union to address them. Today, the Commission is putting forward an Action Plan with short-term […]
Read More
Europol’s work and developments in European security, new meeting in Warsaw
The Joint Parliamentary Scrutiny Group (JPSG) on Europol met in Warsaw today, bringing together Members of the European Parliament to discuss Europol’s work and the evolving security landscape. With serious and organised crime posing an increasing threat to communities across Europe, discussions focused on the Agency’s operational impact, strategic direction and future […]
Read More