Marie-Agnes STRACK-ZIMMERMANN

Policy topics Marie-Agnes STRACK-ZIMMERMANN is active on

What Marie-Agnes STRACK-ZIMMERMANN has said (31)

• “Thank you very much, Madam President. Commissioner, don't forget Ukraine. Look, every day what's happening there is the scenario that threatens us and we shouldn't look away. The people don't want to be praised because of their courage and ability to defend themselves. They want support. And there are nice interviews by heads of state and tell us what the EU can do. It would be better to do something. We need air defence, arms, uh, missiles that protect people. And the Europeans have the right for us to protect them. Together. We must be faster together, more coordinated in our work. And don't listen to the nationalists also, not not in this chamber. Europe can only protect Europe together. It's about us. Whether it comes to technology, new jobs, it's important that not just the big countries, but all the smaller European partners are included. We need a security relevant defence single market. We must be independent in particular and from the US. Commissioner, you're on the right track and you have our support.”
  EU competences on defence
• “So dear colleagues, we will continue with Ukraine and I will debrief you on the ad hoc delegation of our committee to Kyiv that took place a couple of weeks ago, two and a half weeks ago. For this mission, I was accompanied by Wawota Baker, Tobe Askrema, Sven Mixer, and Pierre Romain Thionee. I cannot stress how important this visit was for Sade. The timing occurred as peace negotiations were taking place in Abu Dhabi and during a so-called ceasefire on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. We did not see any evidence of a ceasefire. We heard eight raid sirens and reports of attacks on energy infrastructure and civilian population. We had meetings with ministers in freezing rooms because heating and electricity were cut. Even at our final press conference, we sat in the dark with only our telephones and torch to see whilst generators were started to bring on the lights. All in all, we witnessed the humanitarian tragedy affecting brave citizens of Kyiv and of course this all amounts to more evidence of Russia's lies and illegal attack on civilians. And today is the end of the fourth year of Russia's bloody and illegal war. The bravery and courage of Ukraine for standing up to this murderous bully is also standing up for the security of each and every one of us in this room. Ukrainians are dying for us all, for our security, and buying us precious time to rebuild European defense so that we do not have to suffer as our brave Ukrainians are doing today and every day of the last four years. Our aim was to convey European Parliament's unwavering support to Ukraine and to listen to Ukrainian military needs for achieving peace through strength and defend itself against Russia's war of aggression. We stayed two days in Kyiv and held high-level political meetings with our colleagues from the Verkhovna Rada, various ministers and ministries, the office of the president, the mayor of Kyiv, anti-corruption institution, and civil society representatives. We also had the opportunity to discuss firsthand the military and security needs of the Ukraine authorities to ensure that the EU continues to respond to Ukraine defense priorities and that the EU delivers on promised security guarantees that meet Ukraine needs. This was particularly important in the light of the European Parliament's vote on the Ukraine support loan for 2026 till 2027, which includes a specific budget of sixty billion euros dedicated to Ukraine for military capabilities. Our delegation also had the opportunity to learn from Ukraine's vast experience and innovation in adapting its defense industry in response to operational realities with the visit of a drone factory and an underground drone exposition facility. These visits were also important following the European Parliament's recent adoption of the European Defense Industry Program, which should lead to more common European defense procurement, the strengthening of the European and Ukraine defense industrial bases, and promoting the integration of the European and Ukraine defense sector. Dear colleagues, let me emphasize again the importance of remembering why we must keep out our support to Ukraine. We could witness the dire situation in the country under dramatic weather conditions, energy shortage, and no sign of ceasefire. However, Ukrainians do not want to be praised or admired for their courage, strength, and ability to defend themselves. They want support—our support—and we must act and act more quickly. And now I just want to give the floor to our colleagues who are part of this delegation. Now I see nobody is here already, so to make a long story short, I just can tell you it's very important to travel really often to Ukraine, to be there, to see what's going on there. It helps to make the right decisions for every country because we know there are not all of our countries of EU who are really supporting Ukraine. So our job is to talk to our governments and to force them to do more. So thank you very much. And now we have a ten minutes break. So dear colleagues, thank you very much. It's great to see so many Italian friends on the invitation of Elena Donazan MEP. I would like to welcome a group of fifty participants of the study visit from the Italian Institute for Advanced Defense Studies of Rome. And I'm particularly pleased to welcome Admiral Andrea Quatomateo, who was force commander of Operation Aspidis when Sade recently visited and spent two days on your flagship. So welcome and really, Admiral, it was a great experience, very helpful for our work, and it's always good to be there where the problems are. Then it's easier to explain to people what's going on and how important it is your job and to be there on the Red Sea to protect all the ships coming along. So welcome, warm welcome in Brazil in the Committee of Security and Defense. ***Exchange of views with Lieutenant General André DENK, Chief Executive of the European Defence Agency (EDA)”
  Russia-Ukraine conflict (10th term)
• “(15:26:46 – 15:28:51): Thank you very much. So we continue, dear colleagues, we now turn to the European Commission's follow-up to the resolution on drones, a new system for of warfare. For this item, I have the pleasure to welcome Dinka Dinkova from the DG DEFIS and Fabrice Kontoor, I hope it's from DG Connect. Perfect. As illustrated by the battlefield in Ukraine, drones have become central to modern warfare. This has clear implications. Sorry. I'm a little bit and now I'm in time again. Even I was too late. Sorry. Sorry. No. No. Thanks. Excuse me. I was a little bit connected. Yeah. Okay. So excuse me. So, again, welcome. As illustrated by the battlefield in Ukraine, drones have become central to modern warfare. This has clear implications for our defense and security, civil protection and resilience, and industrial and technological preparedness. In this context, the European Parliament's resolution on drones adopted in January was very timely. It was led by the CD reporte, Rainyce, and it's included many detailed and concrete actions to address a growing threat posed by drones. We have now had written follow-up by the commission referring to work undertaken in several areas identified in the resolution. This exchange is very important to ensure transparency, strengthen democratic scrutiny scrutiny sorry, scrutiny and translate the parliament's priorities into concrete results. So dear missus Dinkova, dear missus Comptour mister Comptour. Sorry. I invite you to present an overview of actions undertaken by the commission. You have the floor for 7 minutes each, and, we start with who wants to start? Please, the floor is yours.”
  Russia-Ukraine conflict (10th term)
• “So, colleagues, please take your seats. Thank you very much. The first point is the adoption of the agenda. If there are no amendments, the agenda of the meeting can be adopted. So, um Commissioner welcome back. It's a pleasure to have you with us today for this structured dialogue in CD. We meet at a very serious moment for Europe and the world. Russia's war against Ukraine continues. I just wait, please take a seat. Hello. Please take a seat. Thank you very much. I don't want to throw it. It's okay. Sorry. So the Middle East remains on fire, and we are living through a new geopolitical moment in which the transatlantic relationship is under real strain. Europe and the United States remain allies, but we have entered a new strategic reality. So Europe must now be ready to take responsibility for its own security. And it means making Europe stronger in production, stronger in innovation and stronger in its capacity to act. The Defence Readiness Roadmap 2030 has given this discussion a more concrete basis. It translated the white paper into objectives, milestones and indicators. It set out a logic of delivery capability.”
  EU-US relations
• “Coalition's annual reporting flagship projects. Industrial ramp up. Innovation. Continent scale. Market. Increasing. Military mobility. So in important steps have already been taken. Eagle has now been proposed as a fast and flexible instrument to support defense innovation, and the experience of the European Defence Fund also shows that Europe can deliver real added value, while also showing us where there are remaining gaps, especially in moving from research and development to deployment and actually actual capability. At the same time, much more now depends on implementation. As you know very well. The Parliament is putting strong pressure on the Council to move forward on the Defence Readiness omnibus and to conclude this package as soon as possible. So readiness and simplification must now procure concrete results. So today, Commissioner, we would be very interested to hear from you on three simple points. What has already been done, where things stand today and when the next initiatives will be launched. The floor is yours. And about 15 minutes. And I'm sure there are many questions. So please. Thank you very much for your time.”
  EU competences on defence · Defence spending
• “Okay. Ladies and gentlemen, dear colleagues, please take your seats. So today, first of all, great to see you again. And so thank you very much for joining us today. We heard that the European pillar of NATO must be more than a concept. I must deliver forces, stockpiles, mobility and resilience. This will require Europeans to invest much more, coordinate much better and reduce their dependence on the United States. And it has been asking Europeans to do for decades. This is about the security of Europe. Europe must be ready to step up, especially when others cannot. Only united. We can be credible. So thank you very much. And before we move to our final panel, let's. No. Sorry sorry, sorry anyway. Yeah. Okay. No, not the last one. Sorry. It's the third one a stronger. Yeah. It's okay. Yes. So our first panel this morning looks at Europe's role in NATO. A stronger Europe makes NATO stronger. And it's my pleasure to welcome Mr. Boris Ruge, NATO assistant secretary general for political affairs and security policy. Mr. Ruge, you have up about seven minutes for your introductory remarks, and then we open the floor like we did yesterday with a ping pong session. So one question, one answer. So, Mr. Kruger, the floor is yours.”
  Relations with NATO
• “02:26 – 16:04:23): We have, dear colleagues, welcome again. The next point is the adoption of the agenda. If there are no amendments, the agenda of the meeting can be adopted. Thank you very much. So we immediately come to point four, adoption of minutes. I submit for approval the minutes of the meeting held on the fifteenth January twenty twenty-six and the twenty-sixth till twenty-seventh January twenty twenty-six. Do you have any comments? If there are no comments, the minutes are deemed approved. So now, dear colleagues, the next point is an exchange of views on the recently signed security and defense partnership between the EU and India. For this item, I have the pleasure to welcome again Stil Benedicte de Van Zieretros, Managing Director for Security and Defense Policy at the European External Action Service. Last month, the EU and India signed a historic security and defense partnership. Although the partnership builds on existing EU-India cooperation, it sends a strong signal about the seriousness of the EU and its strategic ambitions in the volatile world. But we must not forget that India still relies on Russia's energy and defense equipment. It is therefore vital that we firmly scrutinize our partnership with the country, help India reduce dependence on Russia, and encourage condemnation of Russia's illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. So maybe Benedicte, you could elaborate on the main outcomes of the partnership and how you're intending to implement them and foster closer cooperation on security and defense in pursuit of the EU strategic interest. The floor is yours for ten minutes.”
  EU-Russia relations (from March 2022)
• “(09:02:13 – 09:03:19): Thank you very much, Boris. Dear colleagues, welcome to the joint CDEITRI committee meeting on the agile proposal. We have witnessed a very fast process in the parliament on this important pilot instrument with the committee referral announced on the 04/27/2026 and the deadline for amendments already on the 05/13/2026. The agile proposed aims to bring disruptive defense technology from research and development into much needed capabilities at record speed. New defense players, startups, tech innovators will be provided with faster and more flexible funding to quickly develop new innovative products. Our goal is also to work at record speed to adapt a negotiating mandate. The 3 0 9 amendments table provide a solid basis for the upcoming negotiations. Without further ado, I invite the 2 rapporteurs to take the floor and present the approach, starting with CD corapoteer, Toninho, for 4 minutes. The floor is yours.”
  Defence spending
• “Yes, it will be a huge challenge because we are in in stable geopolitical circumstances because of the brutal attack by Russia on Ukraine. The whole of the continent is affected. We need a flexible budget. We must always react to the realities. And that means investment in defense, resilience in issues of joint procurement, operations, operations, military mobility and also that costs a lot of money. But there is some good news. I am pleased that the European Defense Industry program is now on the right track. It is the first step towards creating more European independence. Pendants. Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to start everybody who helped with that effort. All of those colleagues, staff, people in the administration, also the council and commission. Thank you very much to all of you. I just have another 14 seconds to say the following. The US president is setting up a ballroom for his own pleasure in the white House, but we in this European Parliament will be ensuring that we provide security to our citizens. Thank you.”
  Defence spending
• “36:50 – 08:38:05): Thank you very much, Natalia. As agreed during our visit, is she still there? Okay, we will organize an exchange of views on Ukraine veterans during one of our future committee meetings and I would be delighted to welcome you to Brussels coming into our committee. And dear colleagues, Ukraine security is Europe's security and we will stand with Ukraine for as much as it takes to ensure it can achieve peace through strength. Our huge majority of our citizens recognize this and are asking Europe to do more. Brave Ukrainian citizens have shown Europe the way and bought us previous years. Now we must continue to do our part.”
  Russia-Ukraine conflict (10th term)
• “President, ladies and gentlemen. Yes, we stand on the side of the people of Iran. But let's look at Ukraine as well. Are we hearing anything from Mr. Putin? I mean, what's going on in the Middle East? Is being used as an opportunity to carry out further attacks on Ukraine. Iran supported Russia with the Shahid drone. They let Hamas attack Israel. And that led to the terrible consequences we saw in Gaza, it was Iran that constantly got Hezbollah to attack Israel, etc., and it was Iran that pushed the Houthis to block shipping in the Red sea. Ladies and gentlemen, it's not only the Straits of Hormuz, it's an entire system which causes problems for us in Europe. Ladies and gentlemen, Europe needs to open up its capital markets, support free trade to a greater extent, and work harder to crank up the economy. And ladies and gentlemen, we need a defense union based on article 24 seven, the collective defense clause. We need to talk about that. Particularly given the attacks on Cyprus. We see what could happen. We need to speak with one voice because otherwise we can't play a role in the global order, which is dominated by the US, China and Russia. Ladies and gentlemen, that also means that governments such as that in Hungary of Orban need to be dealt with if they don't defend our values. It's not great to hear, but that's the reality. If we want to survive in this new world order, we really need to work hard and do something. I want Europe to play our role, and it's our role to ensure that that happens for you.”
  EU competences on defence
• “58:35 – 16:58:58): Yes, thank you very much, and just for you to know that of course as CD chair I ask for that, but the COP didn't support us, so maybe we have to talk with our chairs, for example. So Nicolas, the floor is yours.”
  EU political integration
• “Madam president, High Representative, India is a wonderful opportunity for Europe. Fourth largest economy in the world with 1.4 billion people and also the largest democracy in the world. Now with Prime Minister Modi with his Hindu, nationalistic and anti Islam policies, we need to work with respect on dialogue. Now it's been developed independent country for a long time, but it needs access to modern technology. And this is something we can offer it as Europeans. This morning, the vote on Mercosur, where the Greens and the left were against Mercosur. Having seen what happened, I wonder whether or not people really understand what they're doing in this house. We could work more closely with India. It would be useful for us. It would be very clever, actually, as by way of a strategy in order to perhaps counter the you know, the positive feeling towards Russia at the moment we need to finally think more strategically, which means be very clear in the way we behave and stand. And this would be useful for everyone in Europe and also for all the partners that we really badly need.”
  EU-India relations
• “Okay. So, dear colleagues, please take a seat. Sorry. As a German, I'm four minutes too late. Um, nevertheless, in Europe, it's okay. We are always a little bit too late. But not tonight. Or not today. So together with my colleague Sven Simon, chair of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs, I am pleased to welcome you to this joint Afco public hearing on institutional aspects of the Common European Defence Union. Colleagues, as you know, this hearing is intended to launch our reflection and to feed directly into the joint Seda and Afco own initiative report. Our security environment has changed profoundly. We have advanced on capabilities and investment. We must now look at the institutional backbone that enables effective coordination, timely decision making and collective action at EU level. I warmly welcome our export and look forward to a frank discussions and lots of creative recommendations. With that, I will now give the floor to my co-chair, Sven Simon.”
  EU competences on defence
• “So, dear colleagues, I am pleased to open this joint meeting of the CDA, N.V. and labor committees. Let me start by warmly welcoming the chair of Envy and Labor committees and thank them for their cooperation. Today's discussion. Sorry. Hello. Good to see you. Take a seat and relax. Okay, perfect. After. After all, we will. Yeah. Okay. So today's discussion on the joint communication on the European Preparedness Union strategy is both timely and very important, as highlighted by president in his report, which we discussed in last March. Strengthening Europe's readiness and resilience, both civilian and military, is now urgent. The strategy we are examining today, presented by the Commission and the eeaS under Commissioner Lahbib, answers this call. It reflects a necessary shift in mindset. Preparedness is no longer just a national task. It is a shared European responsibility. We are pleased to welcome Mr.. I say match.i. It's okay. Where are they? Sorry. Sorry. Two. Two of them. That's great. And Director general Director-General of DG Echo and Deputy Managing Director for Security and Defence Policy at the eeaS, who will present the strategy. With that, I now give the floor to the chair of the committee, Antonio, for his introductory remarks. Antonio, the floor is yours.”
  EU competences on defence
• “So the next will be Elior from the S and T **Elio Di Rupo (Belgium, S&D): Allow me to speak in French if it's possible mister Commissioner I'd like to congratulate you on the work you do and I think if the commission had not set up a commissioner for defense I mean we'd be much further behind with the member states now I've read your report twice and I was wondering who exactly is doing what in other words I counted some ten programs and institutions I mean I would expect that behind each one of those there's someone leading it and I was thinking maybe this is an exaggeration but maybe it's not just a question of coordinating the companies and the member states but perhaps within the commission itself because I think it would be fantastic if we could have one leadership for a given program who can make a decision and with a whole ecosystem around that and perhaps next time mister commissioner we can have a bit of a clearer idea on who specifically does what thank you”
  EU competences on defence
• “Thank you very much, dear colleagues. I would like to thank the rapporteurs for their work on this file and our members for the useful exchange of views. Thank you very much also to DG DFIS for their participation in this meeting. I encourage the co operators and shadow operators to continue the excellent cooperation we had under EDIP and the defense omnibus. Thank you also to my co chair for chairing the debate.”
  EU competences on defence
• “Thank you very much, Nicolas. ... for S&D. **S&D SEDE MEP: Yes. Thank you. Thank you very much for the presentation. Uh, really informative. Um, I fully acknowledge that the focus of, uh, EDF is, uh, supporting defense related R&D and and capability development. But I would like to ask this. I found that that when I tried to convince my constituents of the of the need to increase defense spending, one of the most persuasive arguments is that defense spending is not just, uh, spending. It also creates jobs. It creates economic activity, economic growth. Um, and but when we, um, deal with, when we procure defense related material, uh, then we all want the European taxpayers money to be spent on European products. Uh, and, uh, and I agree with that. But when, when you increase your spending on material in big industrial defense, industrial powerhouses, Germany, of France, then, um, much of that money is spent on creating jobs and economic activity in those very countries because they have long established, very strong defense industries. When we increase spending on on defense related material in some smaller countries, we also create jobs and economic growth in, in, in those big industrial powerhouses. And and it's it's European all right. But it's also national. And and therefore I very much commend the focus of EDF on small and medium sized defense innovators. And you had on one of your slides you had this geographical distribution by number of entities participating. But could you perhaps go a bit beyond that and, and also speak about the money allocated to those projects? And also I know that it's probably beyond your immediate responsibility, but what what happens when those are small defense, small and medium sized innovators are really successful and and have to upscale their production. Do those jobs. Does this economic activity generally stay in the in the member states where these innovation originated, or how do you ensure this sort of equity ability in that regard? Thank you.”
  Defence spending
• “Kollegen. Kommissar. Russland für Jahren. Ein brutal Krieg gegen die Ukraine. Russland ist nicht Isoliert und versucht deshalb penetrant auf die grossen Schaubühne der Welt zurück zu über sport über Kultur über internationale events und bekommt dabei noch prominent unterstützung Allen Voran vom International Olympic Committee. Dort wird unter der President Kirsty Coventry, inzwischen wieder über die Russische Teilnahme an spielen und über öffnung über normalitat gesprochen schon ihre Vorgange der Ehemaligen, IOC President Thomas Bach schlug for Mitt Russland ganz normal und zu gehen und der FIFA chief Gianni Infantino hat damit noch weniger ein probleme und wieder in Die Welt in der Welt meisterschaft sehen und erfindungen einen Friedenspreis dem US president zu schmalkalden Oder zu kleinen solche sport funktioniert sind sich nicht für ihre Besondere integritet bekannt. Russland jetzt aber wieder den roten teppich oxsoralen ist selbst für sie ein Neuer Punkt sport ist nicht und politische sport auf grosser Gesellschaftliche und mehr. Und wir werden erst huijben. When dieser Krieg beendet ist. Die Menschen in der Ukraine wieder in Frieden. Leben können. Die sich hier als.”
  EU-Russia relations (from March 2022)
• “Thank you very much. It's time for a second round. Colleagues. We have 30 minutes for the next question. So please reduce your question of one minute. And we start with Christophe Gomez. **Christophe GOMART Thank you, Madam Chair. Mr. Commissioner, I will speak in French. It's always a pleasure to be able to talk things through with you. Commissioner, there are capabilities that we cannot produce on our own, each on our own. Without working together. We can't be dealing with these things on our own. Otherwise, we're fighting a pipedream. And I think there are various priorities. Firstly, industrial combat, we need to reduce European dependencies. And it's not just about a single market, but an inter-governmental market. And we cannot have a European preference with just 24. It needs to be 27 countries. So we can't just be having all the partnership countries. And then there's the internet issue. We may not win in AI if we don't have a sovereign cloud and a sovereign social network. Then there's the space combat. We need to have an advanced alert system. We don't have that now in order to detect and stop missiles, but also to occupy space. And as you said, we have the opportunity with Galileo and Copernicus, which are great projects. We need to pursue them. Then there's military combat. Nato is disengaging, and we need a stronger military in the EU. And also we need to strengthen the moral re-armament of our population. Thank you.”
  EU competences on space policy
• “Thank you very much. Costa. **Costas MAVRIDES Thank you, Madam Chair. Uh, Mr. Commissioner, just a piece of information. By the way, I don't know if you have been addressed, but today, this morning, we had an incident in Cyprus. A very serious incident. What began as a routine veterinary inspection in the buffer zone in a bi communal village called Pila, has escalated to a very serious incident. And as we talk now, according to the reports, there are 15 Turkish army in the area, 15 tanks. So the presence of Turkish occupying army in EU territory in Cyprus is not just a violation of international law and EU rule of law, but also is a source of instability and aggression. With that in mind, here is my question. How do we go about with European defence and security to make sure that our exports, our exports and know how is restricted only to third countries that share our values and align with our defence, vital interests and respecting international law. And connect that please, if you can show with the 42.7 defense clause. Thank you. Appreciate your work on defense, Mr. Commissioner. We do.”
  Arms export from the EU
• “(10:21:12 – 10:22:59): Thank you very much, Raines. I can see that we have clearly enough members to meet the chrome for a vote. And before we proceed, we need to check if the voting systems work correctly. Please insert your voting cards, and we will now have a test vote on a very, very random question. Do you like pineapple on your pizza? So the vote is open. There's 1 missing, but the vote is closed. Okay. The vote is closed. Yes. Yes. And it's Most people don't like it. Yeah. The most people don't like it. Me too. So, colleagues yeah. It's it's really a random question. So, colleagues, now we are coming to the draft opinion on the proposal for regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council of the Union Civil Protection Mechanismen and Union Support for Heath, Emergency Preparedness and Response and Repealing Decisions number 13 13, 2,030 EU. So now we coming to the first amendment by hand. Who is in favor? Who is against? Abstention adopted. So we are coming to the final vote by roll call vote. The vote is open. The vote is closed. And it's clear adopted. Thank you very much. ##Link_to_transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ud2uHztmf-JayGzDw0o27HmWFF5f96x7/view ##Link_to_video: https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/webstreaming/sede-committee-meeting_20260603-1500-COMMITTEE-SEDE @Committee on Security and Defence Ordinary meeting #03.06.2026”
  EU competences on defence
• “President. Colleagues. Europe this week is facing an existential decision. Are we going to play an essential global role in this world? Are or are we on the way to becoming nothing that's not taken seriously? We've seen this brutal Russian war of aggression. If the it is to come to an end and pressure on the aggressor has to be racked up from Europe. And so I'm calling on council to release these assets in order to strengthen the the Ukrainians financially, militarily and to strengthen reconstruction. I'm calling on the governments of the European nations. Ukraine must be put in a position to neutralize Russian military targets, so that finally we can put an end to these attacks on Ukraine. 93% of them are targeted at civilian targets because Putin wants to bomb Ukraine. Empty. So a call to the commission and our countries to sit down together and work out a plan. Russia has to be at the table, the United States, but in particular Ukraine and Europeans. Those states as well, that, uh, are on the Russian border. They have to be at the table as well in order to discuss a lasting peace. Lasting, uh, isn't about pushing on a button, which the United States apparently want to do. That. It's all lovely. Let's go back home again. Sustainable. Lasting means that Russia never again will threaten this content, This continent and beyond that, the world sending it up in flames. So, colleagues. Slava Ukraini. Before Christmas. Long live Europe.”
  Russia-Ukraine conflict (10th term)
• “So, um, dear colleagues, the next item gives us the opportunity to listen to Miss Sylvia Huber, head of the Defense Industrial Programming Coordination Unit at JPS, on the interim evaluation of the European Defense Fund as set out in the Commission's 2025 Work programme. The evaluation confirms that the European Defense Fund has generated unprecedented levels of cooperation among EU member states, with over with over 3 billion invested in 162 projects. No. Yes. Since May 2021, these achievements positioned the fund as a critical tool for strengthening European strategic autonomy. However, significant challenges persist. Burdensome procedures, long implementation timelines, limited access for newcomers. This all obstacle that we hope the defense Omnibus will help overcome. I'm sure colleagues will have many questions. I leave with one perhaps the most important. How can we ensure that EDF funded innovation leads to real operational capabilities and supports a stronger, more resilient union? So we look forward to your insights and Science Council, where you have the floor for about 15 minutes.”
  EU competences on defence
• “Okay, colleagues, let's continue our city day. Now we have the pleasure to welcome Robert DeGroot, vice president of the European Investment Bank, to discuss priorities for financing defense in Europe. Vice president said recently adopted a report on European defense readiness, where the European Parliament welcome welcomed the bank's stronger role in security and defense. But it also made clear that financing must become faster, simpler and easier to access, especially for SMEs, startups and innovation. We are also underlined that the current defense equality facility is too small compared with the sector's need, and should be scaled up significantly from our perspective. The key question is no longer whether the European Investment Bank has a role in defence, but whether it's ready to play the role with the level of ambition required by the security environment we face. We would like to hear about your achievements, but also about what still needs to change on lending criteria. Guarantees on equity, on direct subcontractors, and how the EIB can attract more private investment without losing speed or strategic focus. Mr. DeGraw, do you have the floor for ten minutes and then we continue with questions. The floor is yours.”
  Defence spending
• “(09:46:06 – 09:46:45): Thank you very much, dear colleagues. I would like to thank the rapporteurs for their work on this file and our members for the useful exchange of views. Thank you very much also to DG DFIS for their participation in this meeting. I encourage the cooperators and chattorporators to continue the excellent cooperation we had under EDIP and the defense omnibus. Thank you also to my co chair for chairing the debate.”
  Defence spending
• “Thank you very much. Next is Martins from the Greens. **Mārtiņš Staķis (Latvia, Greens/EFA): Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you for those presentations. I think any report on strategic partnership by Mr. Sherbet is very timely because I do agree with the first speaker who said that we have a lot of dialogues but we are lacking our strategies. I see the clear strategy from EU towards Ukraine, the NATO member states of course also. I see the goodwill to strengthen our cooperation with UK and Norway, but when this comes to Japan, South Korea, Australia, South Africa, what are the strategies over those countries? Are we talking about security information agreements or intelligence sharing or to develop some common, I don't know, capabilities, technologies, investments in our military industry or common exercises? Could you please elaborate a little bit more what kind of those dialogues you have and what is your mandate on those dialogues as well? Thank you.”
  EU policy on the Indo-Pacific region
• “Thank you very much, Boris. Dear colleagues, welcome to the joint CDEITRI committee meeting on the agile proposal. We have witnessed a very fast process in the parliament on this important pilot instrument with the committee referral announced on the 04/27/2026 and the deadline for amendments already on the 05/13/2026. The agile proposed aims to bring disruptive defense technology from research and development into much needed capabilities at record speed. New defense players, startups, tech innovators will be provided with faster and more flexible funding to quickly develop new innovative products. Our goal is also to work at record speed to adapt a negotiating mandate. The 3 0 9 amendments table provide a solid basis for the upcoming negotiations. Without further ado, I invite the 2 rapporteurs to take the floor and present the approach, starting with CD corapoteer, Toninho, for 4 minutes. The floor is yours.”
  Defence spending
• “So, dear colleagues, welcome to this joint meeting of the Committee of Security and Defence and the delegation for relations with Canada. The first point is the adoption of the agenda. If there are no amendments, the agenda of the meeting can be adopted. Interpretation has been requested to the following languages German. English. Spanish. French. And the meeting is public and web streamed. So, dear colleagues, um, our next point on our agenda is the exchange of views on EU, Canada, cooperation and common security and defence challenges in the Arctic. The Arctic has become a global flashpoint. It is a strategic crossroads. Acts of aggression and unpredictability of our arrivals has brought great uncertainty to the region, threatening the U.S and Canada's interests and values. Russia has expanded its military infrastructure in the High North. China presents itself as a near-arctic state and seeks a growing footprint. The current US administration has become unpredictable. Yet we must be clear the Arctic is not a playground and it's not for sale. It's a home for sovereign states to Indian people who have lived there for generations. This means respect for sovereignty, international law and the rights of its people. This must remain the basis of any security defence debate in Canada. The EU has already partnered with shared values and a long history, and I'm really pleased that our cooperation continues to deepen, especially when it comes to defence. We have seen that very recently with Canada's participation in the EU Safe program, and we look forward to further industrial cooperation. Today's exchange offers an opportunity to reflect on how we understand this evolving security and defence dynamics, and how we can respond to them together. I would now like to welcome my co-chair, Javier Moreno Sanchez, chair of the Canada delegation, to say a few words, a good idea to be the chair of the Canada delegation. Okay. The floor is yours.”
  EU-US relations
• “29:41 – 08:31:42): So colleagues, please take a seat. We will start on time because we have a guest. So dear colleagues, today it's a very sad day. It marks the fourth year of Russia's illegal, unprovoked, unjustifiable full-scale aggression against Ukraine. I would like to start by reiterating our solidarity with the people of Ukraine and our unwavering support for the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Four years of undercities and yet Ukraine stands proud in defense of Russia's war economy and illegal acts, including killing civilians, kidnapping children, and terrorizing the population with attacks on energy and infrastructure. Ukrainians are showing all of Europe and the world the courage in the face of such atrocities. Colleagues, Ukrainians are not only defending their homeland; Ukrainians are defending all of Europe. Therefore, I would like us to pay tribute to the ones who are fighting and to the thousands who have sacrificed their lives for a free, democratic Ukraine and security of our continent. We have the pleasure to have the Ukraine Minister of Veterans Affairs, Natalia Kanimkova. We met her during our recent visit to Ukraine and we are grateful she could connect this morning to briefly address our committee. So Natalia, the floor is yours. Thank you very much for your time and”
  Russia-Ukraine conflict (10th term)
• “Thank you very much. And in this first round, we share it. Um, Michael and I will give the floor to the coordinators of the replacement from EPP, S.A., Patriots and ECR for one minute. After that, Mrs. Shaikh will respond for a maximum of eight minutes. The second round with the remaining groups and the catch the eye will be shared by the chair. So we start for EP city coordinator Nicolas Pascual de la Plata. The floor is yours.”
  EU public communication strategy