European Union

DRAFT REPORT on the implementation of the common security and defence policy – annual report 2026
Committee on Security and Defence
Nathalie Loiseau

Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP

While some progress has been made in the fight against the devastating wildfires in France and Spain, there are concerns that the situation may deteriorate again as yet another heatwave looms. President Emmanuel Macron has said this is France's worst fire emergency since the Second World War. Commentators are also alarmed and discuss what action should be taken.

AI research company OpenAI reported that during an internal test of its new AI models last week the software independently hacked its way into the systems of another AI company. The AI models apparently managed to break out of their isolated test environment and gain access to the internet. Commentators voice concern and call for appropriate measures.

The Austrian government wants to extend compulsory military service from six to nine months. Its 6+3 scheme is intended to boost the Austrian army's operational readiness and better prepare soldiers for crisis and defence tasks. To make military service more attractive, holiday entitlement will be introduced and pay will be hiked up to 1,000 euros a month. The press is very sceptical.

In July 2025, after more than 40 years of civil war, the PKK has symbolically laid down its arms. Reconciliation with the Kurds is now to be placed on a legal footing, and Turkey has announced that is preparing the legal framework for a peace process that will regulate disarmament, returns and reintegration. The speaker of Turkey's parliament, Numan Kurtulmuş, called for Turkish-Kurdish brotherhood.

The next meeting of the Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE) is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, 2 September 2026 from 9.00 - 12.30 and 14.30 - 18.30 and Thursday, 3 September 2026 from 9.00 - 12.30 in Brussels (room TBC).

Further information about the SEDE meetings can be found here.
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SEDE missions 2026:

• Canada - 26-28 May 2026
• Taiwan - 30 March - 2 April 2026
• Poland and Czechia - 16-18 February 2026
• Ukraine - 5-6 February 2026

SEDE missions 2025:

• Djibouti - 27-29 October 2025
  
• Greenland - 15-19 September 2025
  
• Norway - 27-30 May 2025
• Moldova and Ukraine - 14-17 April 2025
  
• Bosnia and Herzegovina - 24-27 February 2025
• Israel and Palestine - 5-8 February 2025

SEDE missions 2024:

• United Kingdom - 28-30 October 2024
• Ukraine - 25-26 October 2024

SEDE Committee meetings' calendar 2026
SEDE Committee meetings' calendar 2025
EP calendar 2026
Source : © European Union, 2026 - EP