Last February 26, the European Commission presented a new agenda to prevent and counter terrorism, setting out the way forward to reinforce Europe’s collective response to evolving terrorist and violent extremist threats. The EU has strengthened its response to terrorism and violent extremism over the past decade. However, the evolving nature of these threats requires […]
Commission supports the EU’s eastern regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine
The European Commission has adopted a comprehensive strategy to step up support for the EU eastern regions bordering Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. Strengthening the prosperity and resilience of these regions is not only an expression of EU solidarity in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but also a strategic investment in Europe’s security, competitiveness, […]
SAFE instrument: Council clears the way for financial assistance to eight Member States and the conclusion of the agreement with Canada
The Council adopted a series of implementing decisions making financial assistance available to eight EU Member States under the SAFE instrument: Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Spain, Croatia, Portugal and Romania. A second batch of Council Implementing Decisions on financial assistance for Estonia, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Finland has been authorised by the […]
Eurobarometer: Europeans perceive growing threat to their security
A new Eurobarometer survey released last Febrauary 13, ahead of the Munich Security Conference, shows Europeans’ growing perception of threat for their countries in the current international situation. The majority of them would also entrust EU with strengthening defence. Investment in this field is also seen as important. EU space programmes are perceived as essential […]
Commission responds to cyber-attack on its central mobile infrastructure
On 30 January, the European Commission’s central infrastructure managing mobile devices identified traces of a cyber-attack, which may have resulted in access to staff names and mobile numbers of some of its staff members. The Commission’s swift response ensured the incident was contained and the system cleaned within 9 hours. No compromise of mobile devices […]
Commission approves second wave of SAFE defence funding for eight Member States
Following the approval of the first wave of defence funding, the European Commission has cleared a second group of national defence plans under the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative, marking another major step in making the Union safer. The Commission submitted a proposal to the Council to approve financial assistance for Estonia, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and […]
25 years of the European Union Military Staff
For the past 25 years, the European Union Military Staff (EUMS) has served as the primary source of the European Union’s military expertise, providing essential support across all Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) domains at the political-strategic and military-strategic levels. As an integral component of the EU’s Integrated Approach to conflict and crisis and […]
Commission approves first wave of defence funding for eight Member States under SAFE
The European Commission has endorsed the national defence plans of eight Member States, marking a milestone in Europe’s push to strengthen its security. The Commission submitted a proposal to the Council to approve financial assistance for Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Spain, Croatia, Cyprus, Portugal and Romania. President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said: “Last year, the EU has made more progress […]
Parliament gives green light to first European Defence Industry Programme
The rule approved on Tuesday 25 seeks to strengthen the EU’s defence industry, encourage joint procurement of European products, boost local manufacturing and increase support for Ukraine. The Regulation, already informally agreed with the Council, will establish the first ever European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP). It aims to strengthen Europe’s defence technological and industrial base […]