The ECR Group welcomes today’s endorsement in the European Parliament’s Industry, Security and Defence, and Environment Committees of the provisional agreement on strengthening Europe’s readiness and improving conditions for strategic investment and industrial production.

The file is part of the Defence Readiness Omnibus Package and aims to remove practical and regulatory obstacles that slow down defence investment, production and innovation in Europe.

Anna Zalewska MEP, ECR Shadow Rapporteur in the Industry Committee, said:

“Europe’s defence industry needs simpler rules, more flexibility and better conditions to scale up production. This agreement strengthens the European defence technological and industrial base, supports SMEs and innovation, and helps ensure that promising projects can move more quickly from development to practical use.”

Alexandr Vondra MEP, ECR Shadow Rapporteur in the Security and Defence Committee and in the Environment Committee, said:

“Europe needs real defence readiness, not more paperwork. This agreement helps remove obstacles that slow down investment and production, while making sure that the European Defence Fund can respond better to real strategic and operational needs.”

On the environment and chemicals-related parts of the file, the agreement preserves the core logic of the Commission proposal and maintains the necessary operational flexibility for Member States regarding defence-related exemptions. It clarifies that exemptions must be justified in the interests of defence, while avoiding additional restrictions that could have created unnecessary burdens for defence readiness.

Vondra commented:

“Member States need workable rules when defence-related exemptions are necessary, especially in areas such as chemicals regulation. The final compromise strikes a reasonable balance. It recognises the need to protect health and the environment, but it also avoids tying the hands of those responsible for Europe’s security.”