EPP Group secures agreement for more joint defence procurement

For a long time, the EPP Group has been advocating for more joint European investments in defence, especially joint procurement of defence systems. Joint procurement increases the interoperability between Member States’ armed forces, saves taxpayers’ money, improves the Union’s security and ultimately strengthens the EU’s position in a world that is facing a sad renaissance of pursuing political goals by military means.

Tonight, MEPs and Member States agreed on the so-called European Defence Industry Reinforcement through common Procurement Act (EDIRPA), the first instrument for joint procurement of the Union.

"For far too long we have neglected our defence and failed to exploit the potential for closer cooperation in European defence. As early as 2007, Member States agreed on 35% of joint defence investments. In 2021, only 18 percent were reached. It is regrettable that we needed a war in Europe to change course, but EDIRPA, despite its rather limited budget, will at least be a small step in the right direction", said EPP Group MEP Michael Gahler, who is the Group's Foreign Affairs Spokesman and one of the European Parliament's lead negotiators on EDIRPA.

"That we have now succeeded in reaching an agreement on EDIRPA is an important step towards increased European defence cooperation. EDIRPA will strengthen the European defence industry, help replenish stockpiles, encourage additional procurement of military equipment for Ukraine and Moldova, bring about more standardisation, and benefit small and medium-sized enterprises", said fellow EPP Group MEP Sara Skyttedal, who represented the European Parliament's Industry Committee in the negotiations.