The latest Eurobarometer survey by the European Parliament highlights citizens’ high expectations of the EU and the EU budget beyond 2027. Against a backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty, most Europeans (68%) believe that the EU should play a greater role in protecting citizens from global crises and security risks. Ninety per cent of respondents want Member […]
EU reinforces its support for Ukraine and reviews ties with Israel
The Foreign Affairs Council – under the chairmanship of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas – convened the EU defence ministers in the morning and the EU foreign ministers on 20 May. Russia’s war against Ukraine and EU support for Ukraine EU defence ministers discussed EU military support to […]
Munich Security Conference 2025: President von der Leyen calls for a “more pragmatic, more focused, more determined Europe”
President Ursula von der Leyen attended the annual Munich Security Conference and gave a keynote speech in which she described a world with competing visions and a more transactional approach to global affairs. She stressed that Europe must change in order to thrive in this new reality. As the Commission’s actions have shown in the first weeks of its new mandate, the EU […]
What will the Commission do in 2025? Discover its work programme
The Commission has outlined plans to boost competitiveness, enhance security and strengthen economic resilience this year, with the announcement of its 2025 work programme. This is accompanied by a plan to reduce administrative burdens and simplify EU rules. Every year, the Commission sets out a list of actions it will take in the following year. This time around, the […]
The Commission allocates €500 million to ramp up ammunition production
The Commission allocated the €500 million foreseen under the Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP). This will allow the European defence industry to ramp up its ammunition production capacity to 2 million shells per year by the end of 2025. The Commission also launched the Work Programme for the instrument for the reinforcement of the European defence […]
Deal on boosting the production of ammunition and missiles in the EU
The Council presidency has reached a provisional agreement with the European Parliament representatives on the Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP). The agreed regulation will urgently mobilise €500 million from the EU budget (in current prices) to support the ramp-up of the manufacturing capacities for the production of ground-to-ground and artillery ammunition as well as missiles. In doing so, it […]
EU proposes comprehensive new on Climate-Security nexus
The European Commission and the High Representative adopted a Joint Communication laying out how the EU will address the growing impact of climate change and environmental degradation in the fields of peace, security, and defence. Recurrent climate extremes, rising temperatures and sea levels, desertification, water scarcity, threats to biodiversity, environmental pollution and contamination are threatening the health and […]
A stronger European defence industry: Council and European Parliament agree on new rules to boost common procurement
The Council has reached a provisional agreement with the European Parliament on the European defence industry reinforcement through common procurement act (EDIRPA). The regulation will incentivise EU member states to jointly procure weapons, thereby ensuring interoperability, economies of scale and – ultimately – a strong European defence industry. The Council and the EP agreed on an ambitious […]
Agreement on additional military support of €3.5 billion
Ministers adopted a decision increasing the overall financial ceiling of the European Peace Facility (EPF) by €3.5 billion which is a signal of the EU’s enduring commitment to military support for Ukraine and other partners alike. The EPF helps prevent conflict, preserve peace and strengthen international security and stability. With today’s top-up, the overall financial […]