Madam President! Paris is only safe when Warsaw is safe, and Rome is only safe when Helsinki is safe. Russian provocations have confirmed that European defence must be taken seriously across the entire Union. Today we are adopting the first-ever European defence industry programme. This is a moment of historic significance for Europe and a key step toward the swiftest possible deterrence of Russia.
EDIP marks a turning point in building a fully functioning, single defence market. The programme will strengthen our defence industry, ensuring that no one is left behind, and companies from Central and Eastern Europe will receive full European support to develop and scale up production. What’s more, for the first time we are creating a framework for joint European defence. European defence projects of common interest, such as the Eastern Shield, are now recognised and will receive dedicated funding, because our Union is strongest when it acts together.
EDIP is tangible proof that the European Union is, above all, a project of peace. Thank you.