Security and Defence Subcommittee (SEDE) - European Parliament

Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

This briefing examines the impact that the COVID-19 crisis has had on security and defence-related aspects for the European Union (EU) between December 2019 and June 2020. Based on this analysis, it identifies key problems or questions that require more attention from policymakers in the coming months and years. Four areas are singled out for analysis, as follows. Section (i), on the security environment and implications for strategy, discusses how COVID-19 tends to feed violent conflict and empowers non-state actors, but also highlights new opportunities to make cease-fires stick. It makes the case for examining in what areas and through what steps Europe can strengthen its self-reliance, unity and strategic leadership capability amidst the growing risk of great power competition. Section (ii), on Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and defence-related mechanisms, capabilities and resources, identifies the growing risk to Europe’s defence budget, capabilities and ambitions and suggests a number of ways in which Member States can manage these risks through fiscal measures, greater prioritisation and collaboration. Section (iii) highlights the multi-faceted positive contributions that the armed forces have made to support civilian authorities at home, but suggests substantial untapped potential to do more in future emergencies. It makes the case for analysing the long-term implications of COVID-19 on readiness and generating forces for overseas operations. Section (iv), on the different ways CSDP operations and missions have been affected by COVID-19 and the ways in which they have adapted to support host countries, makes the case for tackling pre-existing problems with staffing of missions and the resilience of missions to infectious diseases. It also recommends reviewing the rationale and scope for what might be termed ‘health diplomacy’.
Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

In the context of the exponential growth of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the President of the European Parliament has announced a number of measures to contain the spread of epidemic and to safeguard Parliament's core activities.

On 2 July 2020, the Conference of Presidents adopted the revised EP Calendar 2020.

The current precautionary measures adopted by the EP to contain the spread of COVID-19 do not affect work on legislative priorities. Core activities are reduced, but maintained to ensure that the institution's legislative, budgetary, scrutiny functions are maintained.

Following these decisions, the next SEDE meeting is scheduled to take place on 16 July 2020 (online).

Recent press releases:

- Defence Subcommittee MEPs will meet new head of the European Defence Agency - 16 July 2020
- MEPs debate defence priorities with Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer - 14 July 2020
...

For further press releases please see in the SEDE press room.

New EP calendar 2020
SEDE meetings' calendar 2020
Press release: Defence Subcommittee MEPs will meet new head of the European Defence Agency - 16 July 2020
Press release: MEPs debate defence priorities with Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer - 14 July 2020
Press release: MEPs adopt a report on the implementation of EU arms export rules - 13 July 2020
Press release: European defence: Exchange with the French Minister of Armed Forces - 2 July 2020
Press release: The era of naive Europe is over, says Commissioner Breton - 25 June 2020
Press release: Call for a renewed relationship with the African continent based on solidarity and respect - 24 June 2020
Press release: EU must guarantee security to its citizens, warns Defence Subcommittee Chair - 26 May 2020
Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

On 14 July, the Members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Subcommittee on Security and Defence will hold an exchange of views with Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, Federal Minister of Defence of Germany, on the priorities of the German Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The Minister and MEPs will discuss the upcoming challenges and possible solutions, as Germany takes over the rotating presidency of the Council in a very challenging moment for the European Union.
Meeting documents
Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

Ministers are outlining the priorities of the German Presidency of the Council of the EU to parliamentary committees, in a series of meetings.
Committee on Constitutional Affairs
Committee on Foreign Affairs
Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development
Committee on Budgets
Committee on Budgetary Control
Committee on Culture and Education
Committee on Development
Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs
Committee on Employment and Social Affairs
Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality
Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection
Committee on International Trade
Committee on Industry, Research and Energy
Committee on Legal Affairs
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs
Committee on Fisheries
Committee on Petitions
Committee on Regional Development
Committee on Transport and Tourism
Subcommittee on Human Rights
Subcommittee on Security and Defence

Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

The Subcommittee on Security and Defence will discuss major European defence issues with French Minister of the Armed Forces, Florence Parly, on 2 July. The recent initiatives launched by the European Union and the French President's proposals will also be discussed.
Meeting agenda and documents
Livestream
EU Fact Sheets: Security and defence
Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

The Subcommittee on Security and Defence will discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the European defence industry on 25 June, with Internal Market Commissioner Breton. The debate will focus on ways of improving Europe's resilience and develop credible defence capabilities that would allow Europe to tackle similar situations in the future. The question of adequate financial support needed to achieve a genuine Defence Union, and improve the EU's strategic autonomy, will also be addressed.
Meeting agenda and documents
Live streaming
EU Fact Sheets: Security and defence
Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

In the context of the exponential growth of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the President of the European Parliament has announced a number of measures to contain the spread of epidemic and to safeguard Parliament's core activities.

On 2 April, the Conference of Presidents updated the EP's calendar of activities.

The current precautionary measures adopted by the EP to contain the spread of COVID-19 do not affect work on legislative priorities. Core activities are reduced, but maintained to ensure that the institution's legislative, budgetary, scrutiny functions are maintained.

Following these decisions, the next SEDE Subcommittee meeting is scheduled to take place on 26 May 2020 (online).

Recent press releases:

- EU foreign policy Chief Josep Borrell in Security and Defence Subcommittee - 26 May 2020
- COVID-19: Impact on the EU Common Security and Defence Policy missions and operations - 27 April 2020

...

New EP calendar 2020
SEDE meetings' calendar 2020
Press release: EU foreign policy Chief Josep Borrell in Security and Defence Subcommittee - 26 May 2020
Press release: COVID-19: Impact on the EU Common Security and Defence Policy missions and operations - 27 April 2020
Press release: MEPs debate rules on exports of military technology and equipment - 27 April 2020
Press release: MEPs exchange views with UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations - 21 November 2019
Press release: Militarisation of space and race for resources: What can EU do about it? - 12 November 2019
Press release: Subcommittee for Security and Defence visit to the European Defence Agency - 18 November 2019
Press release: Children of foreign fighters in Syria and Iraq: MEPs to assess the situation - 6 November 2019
Press release: AFET/DROI/SEDE meet with UN Secretary General in New York and hold consultations with the US Congress in Washington, DC - 1st November 2019
Press release: Parliament delegation to visit the United Nations General Assembly and US Congress - 25 October 2019
Press release: MEPs call for sanctions against Turkey over military operation in Syria - 24 October 2019
Press release: NATO Parliamentary Assembly in London: “Unilateral military operation in north east Syria is a security risk to us all” - 15 October 2019
Press release: Russian actions prompt NATO and EU to improve military mobility in Europe - 8 October 2019
Press release: End of INF Treaty: Is arms control out of fashion? - 26 September 2019
Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP

The Security and Defence Subcommittee will hold a debate with High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/European Commission Vice-President Josep Borrell Fontelles, on 26 May. The discussion will focus on the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on security and defence, including on CSDP missions and operations. The use of military means to support the fight against the pandemic, and the EU response to cyber-attacks and disinformation campaigns will also be looked into.
Meeting agenda and documents
Live streaming
EU Fact Sheets: Security and defence
Source : © European Union, 2020 - EP