Today, the European Commission will present the White Paper on the Future of European Defence. In light of this, the S&Ds call for a true common European defence, with greater efficiency through joint procurement and harmonised certification procedures for defence products, increased EU investments in European industries and infrastructure, and a single market for defence. These investments will not only strengthen our defence capabilities but also create quality jobs across Europe while promoting our industries' competitiveness. Under S&D rapporteurship, the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) will constitute a strong step in that direction.

But to keep Europe truly secure, our investments in social cohesion are just as crucial, and cannot be jeopardised in favour of investing in defence. Instead, we need fresh EU funding sources, so that we can protect society from all internal and external threats.

Iratxe García, S&D leader, said:

“A unified Defence Union is more urgent than ever. Failing to invest in our security now would be a victory for autocrats and a defeat for peace and everything Europe stands for.

“The White Paper on the Future of European Defence must serve as a roadmap to prepare the EU to defend itself. But true security isn’t just about scaling up military capacities – it requires common debt, coordinated strategies and social welfare. Our social model is what defines Europe, and it stands for fairness and democracy.

“To be able to defend our values, we need a collective European response. The proposed €150 billion in loans are a step in the right direction, but we also need a long-term financial solution to rebuild Europe’s defence.

“As strengthening European defence starts in Ukraine, we must also seize the frozen Russian assets and invest directly in Ukraine’s defence industry, while fostering close cooperation between the Ukrainian and EU defence sectors.”

Yannis Maniatis, S&D vice-president for foreign affairs, security and defence, international energy security and cooperation, said:

“The Commission’s white paper must be the foundation for a truly common European defence, with joint EU coordination and spending and a clear focus on investing in our own industries.

“Strengthening Europe’s defence industrial base reinforces our competitiveness. Paired with a strong social upskilling programme, these investments can create many jobs while ensuring Europe is able to defend itself.

“A simple increase in national defence spending won’t fix the issues of fragmentation. We need to do more together. The €200 billion in frozen Russian assets must be used to support Ukraine’s defence, and fresh EU Funds must ensure that investments in EU defence don’t come at the expense of social cohesion. We shouldn’t underestimate social insecurity and financial instability as threats to our democracy and security.”