Security and Defence Subcommittee (SEDE) - European Parliament

There is an increasing demand for the EU to become a ‘Security Provider’. This demand comes from Europe’s best ally, namely the U.S., but also from Member States themselves. For the first time ever the defence solidarity clause of article 42.7 of the Treaty on European Union was invoked in November 2015. Ultimately the demand to put ‘more defence in the Union’ comes from European citizens who wonder why Europe does not protect them in the current turmoil. From the answer to this question depends not only Europe’s ‘strategic autonomy’, but possibly the future of the whole European project. Several steps have already been initiated to answer the call for more defence in Europe. Since the beginning of his mandate, President Juncker has declared defence a ‘priority’, called for the implementation of the Permanent Structured Cooperation enshrined in the Lisbon Treaty and reiterated the long term vision of a ’European army’. In June 2016, a ‘global strategy’ will be issued and a Commission Defence Action Plan should follow by the end of 2016. A ‘Pilot Project’, adopted by the European Parliament in autumn 2014, has been launched and should open the path to a ‘Preparatory Action on Defence Research’ that may be voted in 2016 for the 2017-2020 budgets. A natural underpinning of those efforts should be the undertaking of a full-fledged Union programme in defence research. The size, the shape and the steps to be taken towards setting it up are the subject of the present report.
Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

"I strongly condemn today’s dreadful terrorist attacks in Brussels, the capital of Belgium and the seat of many international organizations and institutions. I convey my deepest condolences to the families of the innocent victims and I wish a quick recovery to those injured."
"As Europeans we must stand united with Belgium in condemning and combatting terrorism in all its forms. The fight against terrorism should be global and, in the frame of its responsibilities, our subcommittee will remain committed to contribute enhancing international security."
Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

The Subcommittee held a Public Hearing on the Review of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) which is due in 2015, with experts from think tanks, NGOs and the EEAS.
Location : Brussels, room Altiero Spinelli 1G2
Programme
Draft programme
Poster
Poster
Background documents
Background documents
Presentations
Presentation by Rebecca Johnson, Director, Acronym Institute for Disarmament Diplomacy
Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

The public hearing "The crisis in Syria and the role of international and regional actors: security implications for Europe" was held on 16 March with researchers closely working on the issue and a representative from the EEAS. The hearing provided a better understanding of the situation on the ground, a vital requirement for bringing the conflict to an end.
Location : Altiero Spinelli 3G-2
Programme
Programme
Presentation
Presentation by Michael Benhamou
Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

Presentation of the study "The future of EU Defence Research"
Securing commercial shipping lanes against piracy - Presentation by Simon Church, EU NAVFOR Somalia
Securing commercial shipping lanes against piracy - Presentation by Giles Noakes, BIMCO
Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

The public hearing "The crisis in Syria and the role of international and regional actors: security implications for Europe" was be held on 16 March with researchers closely working on the issue and a representative from the EEAS. The hearing provided a better understanding of the situation on the ground, a vital requirement for bringing the conflict to an end.
Location : Altiero Spinelli 3G-2
Programme
Programme
Presentation
Presentation by Michael Benhamou
Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

The public hearing "The crisis in Syria and the role of international and regional actors: security implications for Europe" was held on 16 March with researchers closely working on the issue and a representative from the EEAS. The hearing provided a better understanding of the situation on the ground, a vital requirement for bringing the conflict to an end.
Further information
Programme
Presentation by Michael Benhamou, Researcher and former Fellow at the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies
hearing documents
Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

On 16 March, SEDE held an exchange of views on securing commercial shipping lanes against piracy with representatives from EU NAVFOR Somalia, the Baltic and International Maritime Council and the European Commission. Please find below the presentations by the speakers.
Further information
Draft agenda and meeting documents
Presentation by Simon Church, Industry Liaison Officer EU NAVFOR
Presentation by Giles Noakes, Chief Maritime Security Officer, BIMCO
Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

Length of video : 155'
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Disclaimer : The interpretation of debates serves to facilitate communication and does not constitute an authentic record of proceedings. Only the original speech or the revised written translation is authentic.
Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

will take place on Wednesday 20 April, 9:00-12:30 and 15:00-18:30, and Thursday 21 April, 9:00-12:30 in Brussels.

Organisations or interest groups who wish to apply for access to the European Parliament will find the relevant information below.

Further information
watch the meeting live
Access rights for interest group representatives
Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

Length of video : 162'
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Disclaimer : The interpretation of debates serves to facilitate communication and does not constitute an authentic record of proceedings. Only the original speech or the revised written translation is authentic.
Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

Presentation by Shingo Yamagami, Director General, Japan Institute of International Affairs
Presentation by Vineta Mekone, NATO Strategic Communication Centre of Excellence
Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

The authors of the Study "The future of EU Defence Research" will elaborate on their methodology and their findings regarding the funding of defence research under the next multiannual financial framework of the EU.
Further information
draft agenda and meeting documents
Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

At its meeting on 16 March, SEDE will discuss the amendments to the draft report on Peace Support Operations - EU engagement with the UN and the African Union: Rapporteur Geoffrey VAN ORDEN (ECR, UK) and to the draft report on space capabilities for European security and defence: Rapporteur Bogdan Andrzej ZDROJEWSKI (PPE, PL).
Further information
Draft agenda and meeting documents
Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

will take place on Wednesday 16 March, 9:00-12:30 and 15:00-18:30, and Thursday 17 March, 9:00-12:30 in Brussels.

Organisations or interest groups who wish to apply for access to the European Parliament will find the relevant information below.

Further information
watch the meeting live
Access rights for interest group representatives
Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

Length of video : 204'
You may manually download this video in WMV (1.8Gb) format

Disclaimer : The interpretation of debates serves to facilitate communication and does not constitute an authentic record of proceedings. Only the original speech or the revised written translation is authentic.
Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

On 3 March, SEDE will exchange views with Major General Martin Smith MBE, Operation Commander of EU NAVFOR Somalia. General Smith commands the operation from the Operational Headquarters at Northwood, UK. He plans and conducts the operation in conjunction with the political and military authorities of the EU.
Further information
Draft agenda and meeting documents
Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP

On 3 March, SEDE will hold an exchange of views with Jorge Domecq, Chief Executive of the European Defence Agency and Heinrich Brauss, NATO Assistant Secretary General for Defence Policy and Planning, on EDA and NATO coherent responses to hybrid threats and challenges.
Further information
Draft agenda and meeting documents
Source : © European Union, 2016 - EP