EPP Group to discuss building European defence solutions in Tallinn

The EPP Group Bureau will gather in Tallinn on 7 and 8 September to debate new security threats and challenges for Europe. The topics covered will include cyberwar, disinformation and fake news, relations with Russia and the European Defence Union. EPP Group Members will also finalise policy papers on a Defence Union and on Russia.

Manfred Weber, the EPP Group Chairman, said: “The European way of life, the values our societies are based upon, are facing unprecedented threats and we can only rely on ourselves to defend them. This is the lesson the latest political developments at Europe’s doors are teaching us. For the EPP Group, making Europe safer can only come through better European cooperation. We need to stand united, stand together and find common solutions. We believe building common European defence solutions is the way to make Europe safe again. This is what we are going to discuss in Tallinn this week."

Tunne Kelam MEP, Head of the Estonian delegation, said: “It is in the interests of Estonia and the European Union to have a strong Defence Union. In light of the ongoing hybrid war, we must defend ourselves against efforts to destabilise us via cyber attacks, trolling and fake news. Estonia itself has been the target of cyber attacks by Russia. It is very appropriate and timely that the EPP Group will gather in Tallinn to discuss security and defence issues in order to make Europe safer.”

High-level speakers include: Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General; Maria Dolores De Cospedal, Spanish Minister of Defence; Jüri Luik, Estonian Minister of Defence; Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Russian opposition activist, Founder of Open Russia; Vladimir V. Kara-Murza, Russian opposition politician, Vice-Chairman of Open Russia; Grégoire De Saint-Quentin, Général de corps d’armée, sous-chef d’état-major « Opérations » de l’état-major des armées; Bogdan Klich, former Polish Minister of Defence and Janis Sarts, Director of the NATO STRATCOM Centre of Excellence.

Press agenda:

Thursday 7 September, 14.00 hrs

DOORSTEP: Manfred Weber, Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament, Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General, Maria Dolores De Cospedal, Spanish Minister of Defence