Madam President! Paris is safe only when Warsaw is safe, and Rome is safe only when Helsinki is safe. Russian provocations have confirmed that European defense must be taken seriously throughout the Union. Today we are adopting the first-ever European defense industry program. This is a historic moment for Europe and a crucial step toward deterring Russia as quickly as possible.
The EDIP marks a turning point in the creation of a fully functioning, single defense market. The program will strengthen our defense industry by ensuring that no one is left behind, and that companies from Central and Eastern Europe, as well as small and medium-sized enterprises, receive full European support in developing and scaling up their production. Furthermore, for the first time, we are establishing a framework for Europe’s common defense. European defense projects of common interest, such as East Shield, are now recognized and will receive dedicated funding, because our Union is strongest when it acts together.
The EDIP Regulation is tangible proof that the European Union is, above all, a project of peace. Thank you.