Reinis POZŅAKS

Policy topics Reinis POZŅAKS is active on

What Reinis POZŅAKS has said (3)

• “Madam president, Commissioner, dear colleagues, as Commissioner has already said, we are not at war, but neither are we at peace. That is why Europe's defence today is shaped by far more than peacetime considerations. In the current security environment, it is not only the quantity of weapons that matters, but our ability to produce them quickly in sufficient quantities and our ability to adapt and mobilise defence capability now extends well beyond the traditional defence industry. Every manufacturing sector, every welding machine, soldering iron is part of it. We have a duty to remove the barriers that limit civilian industries contribution to Europe's defence capabilities. Defence is not just military production, it's the entire industrial ecosystem independence from external suppliers is important, but whether we like it or not, not all materials critical to defense can be sourced within Europe. Therefore, we need our strategic partners that can lower the risks to our supply chains, industry and security. And finally, defense capabilities are not defined by the number of weapons, but by the willingness to use them. We still have a choice provide these weapons to Ukraine today or wait until they are needed here. Ukraine's victory over the aggressor is what will make Europe safer. Thank you.”
  Russia-Ukraine conflict (10th term)
• “(15:45:14 – 15:48:28): Thank you, chair, and also thank you thank commission, to response to our our report. But I'd like to begin with expressing our appreciation for the remarkable complementary between our report and commission's drawn action plan. When we drafted this report, our ambition was clear to provide a particular blueprint for Europe's response to drone warfare, and we are, therefore, encouraged to see that many of recommendations reflected in the commission's work. We particularly welcome the commission's commitment to strengthen civil military cooperation, supporting industrial development, deepening cooperation with Ukraine, and then chasing Europe's resilience against drone threats. Among the most important measure measures endorsed are the creation of the stronger synergies between civil and and civilian and defense research, the upgrading of the joint research centers living lab into a counter drone center of excellence, the stress testing of critical infrastructure against the drone threats and the establishment of a drone and counter drone tech, alliance and stronger support for defense innovations and start ups. The stockpiling of critical drone components and the raw materials and the development of drone and content drone security toolbox. We also strongly welcome the proposed drone alliance with Ukraine. There is no better search of operational knowledge and battlefield innovation in drone warfare today. And Europe has much to learn and much to gain from deeper industrial and technological technological cooperation with Ukraine. Yeah. Equally important are the plans to strengthen training, testing infrastructure, ice airspace coordination and certification frameworks, and these measures will help create a truly European drone ecosystem capable of delivering both security and technological leadership. However, there is 1 concern that I would like to raise. It's no more future challenges. When I examine the commission's response, I see many strong initiatives, but I also see that most of them are framed within the 20 30 readiness perspective. And that's where I believe we have a problem because drone war warfare is no longer a future threat. It's already part of our daily reality. Across the Baltic States, Finland and Poland, authorities are increasingly confronted with drone related incidents around critical infrastructure, military facilities, and sensitive sites. And in Romania, Russian attacks against Ukraine have already crossed borders causing damages and casualties. So the lesson is clear. Drone warfare is no longer, confident to the battlefield. It's already testing our resilience, our infrastructure, and our security here in Europe. So we look forward to continuing our cooperation with the commission to ensure that Europe's take a decisive step necessary to address 1 of the defining security challenges of our time. Thank you.”
  EU-Ukraine relations
• “Yeah. Hello, everybody. Unfortunately, Mr.. Couldn't be here today, so he asked me to share his thoughts on this file. And first of all, he would like to thank the rapporteur for this work in preparing this report. It's certainly a solid and valuable contribution to the debate on European defence readiness, as well as to the negotiations on the next Multiannual Financial Framework. At the same time, in his view, there are a few important elements which are not sufficiently reflected in the text as a representative of the ECR group and the member from an eastern frontline country. I must underline that the European defence readiness cannot be viewed in isolation from our fundamental alliances. Nato remains the cornerstone of Europe's security, and the EU initiative must therefore complement and support, but not duplicate or weaken our commitments within NATO and the transatlantic bond. Additionally, the report could be engaged by addressing aspects that go beyond financial instruments. In particular, it should include an assessment of the most serious operational gaps, while emphasising the importance of ensuring that EU efforts remain aligned with the NATO planning in enclosing them. One particular note is the need to ramp up our drone production and improve our counter drone systems, until we can demonstrate that no amount of drones can invade our airspace. We cannot have defense readiness. Finally, like all EU initiatives in the field of defence, I think that the document should recognise that the Europe's defence industries are not all alike. They differ in scale, ownership and priorities. Acknowledging this diversity is essential as one size fits all approach risks marginalising smaller or more specialised industries and cannot be a solution colleague. Let us make sure that financial innovation goes hand in hand with operational realism and firm re-affirmation of NATO's role and the transatlantic transatlantic link. Thank you.”
  Relations with NATO