NordenBladet —
Chair of the European Union Affairs Committee Liisa Pakosta said that Estonia had had a critical role in nudging other Member States and the Commission to give the necessary attention and support to defence industry. Pakosta pointed out that joint funding of defence industry and the easing of restrictions were crucial in the current security situation.
“Throughout its history, the European Union has highlighted its role as a peacekeeper and has awkwardly pushed the defence industry somewhere under the table. Finally, it has been realised that peace requires iron deterrence as well as giving much more assistance to Ukraine with weapons and technology than it has been done so far,” Pakosta said. She underlined that in doing this, it was very important to get more clarity about the funding, which may concern each citizen of European Union. “New jobs and the role of the defence industry in developing economy and innovation are also essential,” Pakosta hopes.
According to the Chair of the European Union Affairs Committee, the members of the Riigikogu wish to get an overview of what the EU’s new defence industry strategy will mean for Estonia, what will be the impact of the strategy on Estonia’s security, and also hear about the positions of the Estonian defence and space industries regarding the strategy.
The strategy outlines the details and exploitation potential of developing the technological and industrial base of the European defence sector and charts the course for the next decade. The strategy sets out that at least 40% of defence equipment should be jointly procured by 2030. It also establishes targets to ensure that an increasing number of defence procurements remain within the EU.
At the sitting, Head of the European Commission Representation in Estonia Vivian Loonela, Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur, CEO of the Estonian Defence and Aerospace Industry Association Kalev Koidumäe and members of the National Defence Committee of the Riigikogu will address the topic.
The public sitting of the European Union Affairs Committee will held in the Riigikogu Conference Hall, starting at 1 p.m. It will be streamed online. Video recording will be available to watch on the Riigikogu YouTube channel.
For more information, please contact: Liisa Pakosta, phone +372 502 6191
Riigikogu Press Service
Merilin Kruuse
+372 631 6592; +372 510 6179
merilin.kruuse@riigikogu.ee
Questions: press@riigikogu.ee
Link uudisele: The European Union Affairs Committee discusses the EU’s new defence industry strategy at a public sitting
Source: Parliament of Estonia