Presentation of the priorities of the Cyprus Presidency of the EU Council on the new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) by Mr Constantinos Masonos, co-chair of the MFF Ad Hoc Working Party
Download — EESC opinion: Establishing the European Fund for Regional Development including for European Territorial Cooperation (Interreg) and the Cohesion Fund
The EESC emphasises that peace must remain a core EU priority and cautions against focusing solely on military threats while overlooking other serious risks to human life. It stresses the importance of diplomacy for conflict resolution and crisis prevention wherever possible.The EESC supports a comprehensive, inclusive European defence strategy that supplements military readiness with civil preparedness. It endorses the European Commission’s Joint white Paper for European Defence – Readiness 2030 and calls for a coordinated EU approach that treats defence, peace and security as shared public goods, underpinned by strong legal, institutional and financial frameworks with democratic oversight.
Download — EESC opinion: Defence-related investments in the EU budget
In view of Europe's current security challenges, in particular with the armed conflict caused by Russia’s full-scale aggression against Ukraine, defence funding places a significant burden on the budgets of many EU Member States, worsening their fiscal position.
At the same time, the resources that Member States are currently able to allocate to the development of defence capabilities still seem to be insufficient.
As Europe needs to develop defence capabilities in a more integrated way, there is a need to significantly increase investment in European defence infrastructure and technological innovation to improve preparedness to respond to threats.
Download — EESC opinion: Defence funding in the EU
EDIS is a joint communication of the Commission and the High Representative that sets a vision for the European defence industrial policy until 2035.
The EESC welcomes this Commission initiative and the CCMI study group members will examine how the European Defence Industrial Strategy can strengthen the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB) and achieve defence industrial readiness. Furthermore, this opinion will assess the necessary steps for the successful implementation of this strategy.
Download — EESC opinion: European defence industrial strategy
This own-initiative opinion using the drone manufacturing industry as a case study will seek to examine the different policies in place to enhance European strategic autonomy and develop synergies between defence and civilian sector, in areas of great social interest such as civil protection, assessment of disasters and quick response of local authorities, traffic monitoring and others. It is important for civil society and stakeholders to mobilise resources and create new added values in the defense sector in such a manner that will maximise security outcome, by motivating industry to cover its own demand, produce appropriate and modern tools of deterrence and transform these at periods of lower turbulence towards civil protection activities.
Download — EESC opinion: Drone manufacturing industry: a case study to assess the outcome in a strategic sector of the different policies in place to enhance European strategic autonomy
