New targeted amendments to existing EU funding programmes will support faster, more flexible and coordinated investments in Europe’s defence technological and industrial base (EDTIB). Under a new Regulation to stimulate defence-related investments within the EU budget proposed today by the Commission, the EU will strengthen its defence Readiness 2030 and to implement the ReArm Europe plan. The proposed […]
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 […]
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 […]
António Costa “There will be no credible and successful negotiations no lasting peace without Ukraine and without the European Union”
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference 2025, European Council President António Costa highlighted that the EU will continue to support Ukraine as an integral part of its project for peace. “On 24 February 2022, the European Union changed. On the very first day of the war in Ukraine, at 7 pm, European leaders gathered for […]
“We must be better, stronger and faster”: European leaders’ defence conclusions
On 3 February a meeting took place at the Egmont Palace (Brussels, Belgium) between António Costa (President of the European Council), Ursula von der Leyen (President of the European Commission), Mark Rutte (NATO Secretary General) and Keir Starmer (Prime Minister of the United Kingdom). At the event, several relevant aspects of current political affairs were […]
Rutte to MEPs: “We are safe now, we might not be safe in five years”
On Monday afternoon, MEPs discussed the security situation in Europe and beyond as well as defence and EU-NATO cooperation with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. In his first public discussion with MEPs from the Foreign Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on Security and Defence and Parliament’s delegation for relations with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly since taking office […]
Intership – NATO Programme – Belgium
The NATO Headquarters (HQ) organise an internship programme, to provide a small number of current or recent students with the opportunity to gain experience at NATO Headquarters in Brussels. There is one call for applications per year, in Spring, with two starting dates, in September and March the following year. Internships will in principle last between […]
Eurobarometer: Sense of belonging to the EU grows seven points among Spaniards
The European Commission Representation in Spain yesterday hosted the presentation of the Autumn Eurobarometer for Spain (EB 102). The feeling of belonging to the European Union has shown an upward trend among Spaniards in this edition of the Eurobarometer. Seven out of ten Spanish citizens (70%) say they feel attached to the European Union, above […]
EU strengthens defence preparedness with new equipment purchases
The Commission has approved funding for five cross-border projects to support more coordinated and efficient defence procurement among EU Member States. Implemented under the instrument for strengthening the European defence industry through common procurement (EDIRPA), each of the five selected projects will receive €60 million, representing a total amount of €300 million in funding. […]