Defence package: Parliament negotiators welcome deal with Council 

Following the deal reached with the Council on Wednesday 10 June on the package of legislative proposals to accelerate defence investment and improve EU responsiveness, the European Parliament’s seven rapporteurs gave the following statements:

On the acceleration of permit-granting for defence readiness projects

"I am glad we have reached a compromise on this long-overdue package. For far too long, permits for defence projects have taken up to two years in some member states; this agreement paves the way to cut that timeframe radically, while preserving safeguards, greater SME support and regular Commission reviews, so that the system stays fast, transparent and fair", said co-rapporteur Lucia Yar (Renew Europe, Slovakia).

Co-rapporteur Henrik Dahl (EPP, Denmark) said: “This agreement is an important step towards strengthening Europe’s defence readiness. Europe cannot afford bureaucratic paralysis while our security environment deteriorates. By cutting red tape and accelerating permit procedures, we are enabling Europe’s defence industry to deliver faster, invest with greater certainty, and strengthen our collective security. Europe must be able to produce what it needs, when it needs it, if we are serious about defending our citizens and our interests.”

On the simplification of intra-EU transfers of defence-related products and the simplification of security and defence procurement

Co-rapporteur Pekka Toveri (EPP, Finland) said: "The negotiations were very demanding. These negotiations highlighted the key sensitivites and stumbling blocks among member states when it comes to strengthening Europe'ws defence industry. We are still far from where we need to be in developing Europe’s defence capabilites and industrial capacity. But change does not happen overnight. We are now moving in the right direction, and the work will continue.”

Co-rapporteur Anna-Maja Henriksson (Renew Europe, Finland): “It is crucial to strengthen Europe’s defence now, as Russia will remain a threat in the future. Therefore, we must ensure that defence procurement and internal transfers of defence products within the EU can be carried out as quickly and as smoothly as possible. I’m happy that there has been a trilogue agreement on the whole defence omnibus package; it marks a very important step forward”.

On defence readiness and facilitating defence investment and conditions for the defence industry

Co-rapportuer Sven Mikser (S&D, Estonia) said: “The security challenges facing Europe demand swift and decisive action. By reducing regulatory barriers, simplifying access to the European Defence Fund, accelerating innovation, and strengthening industrial capacity, this agreement reinforces Europe's defence readiness and resilience for 2030.”

“With this agreement, Europe is stepping out of the meeting rooms and enabling defence readiness to be built where it truly happens: in factories, laboratories and companies. By speeding up investment and removing unnecessary barriers, we are helping industry deliver what Europe’s security urgently requires,” said co-rapporteur Aura Salla (EPP, Finland)

Co-rapporteur Pierfrancesco Maran (S&D, Italy) said: “Security, competitiveness and sustainability are not opposing goals. With this agreement, we are enabling Europe to strengthen its defence readiness while maintaining a high level of protection for health, the environment and the integrity of the internal market.”