Two reports on the European Union’s foreign affairs, security, and defence strategies for 2025, due to be voted on in the European Parliament on Wednesday, have drawn a mixed response from the European Conservatives and Reformists.

Speaking during the debate in Strasbourg in presence of the High Representative, Kaja Kallas, ECR Foreign Affairs Coordinator Adam Bielan welcomed the EU’s support for Ukraine, as well as its commitment to NATO, investment in defence, and calling out Iran’s destabilising role in the Near and Middle East. However, he warned against plans to abandon unanimity in EU foreign and security policy and rejected the idea of a defence union that would compete with NATO.

“The reports strongly condemn Russia’s war of aggression, express unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and Euro-Atlantic future, and adopt a firm stance on Iran’s destabilising actions.”

“We also welcome the clear recognition of NATO as the cornerstone of European security and the emphasis on strengthening transatlantic cooperation. We particularly support the call to reinforce EU-NATO coordination, improve military mobility - particularly in frontline states like Poland—and bolster hybrid defence, while encouraging defence spending above 2 per cent of GDP.”

Bielan continued:

“However, there are serious concerns. Once again, we see proposals to abandon unanimity in foreign and defence policy. We firmly believe these decisions must remain in the hands of sovereign Member States, not be centralised in Brussels.

“We also caution against the push for a fully-fledged ‘defence union’ and the vague promotion of strategic autonomy, which risks duplicating NATO structures and distancing us from our most important ally—the United States. European security must be based on responsibility, strong NATO cooperation, and clear strategic vision.”

The European Parliament will vote on the reports on Wednesday.