Fittex
Key Issues in the European Council - State of play in March 2024
This EPRS publication, 'Key issues in the European Council', which is updated every quarter to coincide with European Council meetings, seeks to provide an overview of the institution's activities on major EU issues. It analyses 12 broad policy areas, explaining the legal and political background, the main priorities and orientations defined by the European Council and the results of its involvement to date, as well as some of the future challenges in each policy field.
Outlook for the meetings of EU leaders, 21-22 March 2024
At the 21-22 March European Council meeting, discussions will focus on Ukraine, security and defence, the Middle East and enlargement. Concerning security and defence, EU leaders will consider the new European defence industrial strategy presented by the European Commission. On Ukraine, they are expected to reiterate their commitment to supporting the country, and welcome the establishment of a Ukraine Assistance Fund regarding military aid as well as the 13th package of sanctions against Russia. ...
EU defence industry programme and strategy
On 5 March 2024, the Commission adopted the first-ever European defence industrial strategy (EDIS), which sets a long-term goal of achieving EU defence industrial readiness, and proposed a defence industry programme (EDIP) regulation. Experts laud its ambition, noting that its success will require political and financial buy-in.
Maritime security: Situation in the Red Sea and EU response
The Iran-backed Houthi militia, which controls large parts of Yemen, has attacked numerous commercial ships in the Red Sea since mid-November 2023 'in solidarity with the Palestinians'. This poses a significant threat to the global economy, and has led to an escalation of tensions in the Middle East. The United States has launched an international operation in the Red Sea to protect commercial vessels and keep this vital shipping route open. The EU launched its own 'purely defensive' mission, EUNAVFOR ...
European capability development planning
Defence planning (including capability development planning) is the process of establishing the military forces and equipment that a state or alliance determines are required to meet its objectives or to counteract threats. There are three major capability development processes within the European Union: each Member State's national planning; the NATO defence planning process, where applicable; and the EU's planning, which has evolved gradually since the 1999 Helsinki European Council meeting and ...
Annual report on implementation of the common security and defence policy, 2023
During the second February plenary session, the European Parliament will vote on its 2023 annual report on implementation of the common security and defence policy (CSDP). This year's report reflects ground breaking developments in EU defence since 2022. Its main areas of focus include Russia's war on Ukraine and the EU's response, the situation in the Middle East, implementation of the Strategic Compass and EU defence initiatives.
Annual report on implementation of the common foreign and security policy, 2023
The EU's common foreign and security policy (CFSP) contributes to the Union's objectives of preserving peace, strengthening international security, promoting international cooperation, and developing and consolidating democracy, the rule of law, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. The European Parliament's Committee for Foreign Affairs (AFET) adopted its annual report on the implementation of the CFSP on 28 November 2023. The report highlights the need for stronger, more ambitious ...
European Peace Facility: Continued EU military assistance to Ukraine
Almost two years since Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, EU military assistance under the European Peace Facility (EPF) is lagging. The special European Council meeting of 1 February 2024 invited the Council to agree by early March 2024 to amend the regulation establishing the EPF, in order to increase its financial ceiling.
L-industrija tad-difiża
L-industrija tad-difiża tal-Unjoni Ewropea hija kkaratterizzata minn komponenti ekonomiċi u teknoloġiċi li jirrappreżentaw fatturi importanti għall-kompetittività industrijali tal-Ewropa. L-Aġenzija Ewropea għad-Difiża tappoġġa lill-Istati Membri fit-titjib tal-kapaċitajiet ta’ difiża tagħhom u tikkontribwixxi għall-iżvilupp tal-industrija tad-difiża tagħhom. Dan l-aħħar is-settur iddeċieda li jindirizza wħud mill-isfidi ewlenin tiegħu, fosthom il-frammentazzjoni tas-suq u l-livelli baxxi ta’ nfiq ...
Armed conflict: A glossary of terms
Drawing on authoritative sources, this glossary offers an overview of common terms used in discussing situations of armed conflict.