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The Strategic Compass, adopted by the 27 EU Member States in March 2022 – only weeks after the onset of Russia's unjustified and unprovoked aggression against Ukraine – emphasised the need for robust partnerships in order for the EU to be able to achieve its objectives in the area of security and defence. Alongside 'acting' (operations), 'securing' (resilience) and 'investing', 'partnering' is one of the four main pillars of the Compass. The document itself outlines specific targets and deadlines ...

During the February 2026 plenary session, a debate will be held on two questions for oral answer to the Commission. These relate to the procedure for accession of third countries to the Hague Judgments Convention.

The first-ever European defence industrial strategy (EDIS) was adopted on 5 March 2024. As an immediate and central step to deliver the strategy, the Commission put forward a proposal for a European defence industry programme (EDIP) regulation, also on 5 March 2024. The EDIP seeks to achieve defence industrial readiness by bridging the gap between short-term emergency measures and a more structural, long-term approach. On 16 October 2025, the Council Presidency and European Parliament negotiators ...

This study examines the political, economic, and regulatory barriers hindering the creation of a European single market for defence. Despite growing recognition within EU institutions of the need for integration to enhance efficiency, competitiveness, and readiness, progress remains constrained. Political obstacles — diverging threat perceptions, sovereignty concerns, reliance on the United States, and lessons from Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine — emerge as the primary impediments, shaping ...

'Delivered on all fronts' was the main message from European Council President António Costa on the results of the 23 October European Council meeting. On defence, the European Council defined a timeline and priorities for achieving EU defence readiness in 2030 – the more immediate priorities being air defence and Europe's eastern flank. On competitiveness, EU leaders strongly pushed the simplification agenda, and stressed the need for a competitive and pragmatic green transition and for decisive ...

Member States have begun scaling up arms production in the wake of Russia's war on Ukraine, yet bottlenecks, fragmentation and capacity shortfalls remain. Members welcome the ramping-up of production capacity.

The European Defence Fund (EDF), launched in 2021, has become a central instrument in promoting joint defence research and capability development, defence innovation and cross-border industrial cooperation. Over 160 collaborative projects have been launched within the framework of the EDF, in which over 1 300 entities across 26 Member States (all except Malta) as well as Norway participate. The June 2025 interim evaluation confirms that the Fund has helped reduce duplication, enhanced SME participation ...

Security and defence has been a rolling feature on the European Council agenda since 2012, gaining increased prominence since 2022. Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and rising geopolitical tensions across the globe have demonstrated the urgency of building strong European defence that can ensure Europe's security. This briefing gives context to recent European security and defence discussions, highlights the legal basis for European Council action in this area, and looks into European Council ...

Confronted with warfare on the European continent since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, EU Member States, along with other European partners, have backed the need for a substantial increase in defence spending. This budgetary challenge has in turn raised important questions about the role of taxation in financing these efforts.

The questions of why terrorism occurs and how to stop it have haunted European citizens ever since the series of terrorist attacks across the EU that started in the early 2000s. The idea that someone might become a terrorist by going through a 'radicalisation' process seemed like a plausible explanation and therefore quickly gained ground among EU policymakers. Even though experts still disagree over what radicalisation is and whether focusing on it has really advanced the understanding of terrorism ...