About

Russia's unprovoked and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine has shaken Europe from its sleep and resulted in a new sense of urgency to "regenerate European defence" and "reverse" over 30 years of declining investment and neglect of European defence capabilities.

Our agenda will include scrutinising the Heads of States' commitment in the Versailles Declaration for Europe to enhance European defence as well as the implementation of the Strategic Compass, the European Defence Industrial Strategy, the White Paper on European Defence - Readiness 2030 and the ReArm Europe Plan. During the European elections, we also saw the rise of Hybrid warfare and the threat of cyber-attacks, sabotage of critical infrastructure and the foreign interference in our democratic processes. It is imperative that Europe continues to deepen our capacities to respond to the full spectrum of threats including by enhancing civilian and military resilience and preparedness.

As the Chair of the Committee on Security and Defence, I intend to work with colleagues across the political spectrum to ensure Europe remains united in responding to the complex range of security threats, in particular to ensure Member States, and allies, step-up their efforts to strengthen European Defence and continue to provide Ukraine with the military capabilities it needs and for as long as it needs.

SEDE will play a key role during this 10th parliamentary term and, as Chair, it is of great importance to me that we work together as a committee and combine our efforts to ensure the security and freedom of our citizens in the European Union in democratic cooperation with EU Member States.