Gerrard Quille

Head of Secretariat, Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE), at the European Parliament. All views personal - RT not endorsement.

[ITRE Committee Press @EP_Industry]

MEPs from @EP_Industry & @EP_Defence back new EU defence innovation programme https://t.co/dNbE2hE4u5

[SEDE Committee Press @EP_Defence]

@EP_Defence @EP_Environment @EP_Industry approve the third and the last part of the package simplifying defence legislation. Vote on the whole package in September
Press release on deal reached on 10 June
https://t.co/lpPH7GxvOF

[SEDE Committee Press @EP_Defence]

today at 9.30

SEDE MEPs asses with the Commission the state of play of implementation of the EU Security Action for Europe (SAFE) loan arrangements

follow live https://t.co/PDaFdedj2L

[SEDE Committee Press @EP_Defence]

"Today we reached an agreement on the Defence Omnibus. I welcome it very much but we will not stop there. Because this agreement is just the beginning", stated the @EP_Defence Chair @MAStrackZi following the successful political agreement reached today.
👉 https://t.co/lpPH7GxvOF

[Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann @MAStrackZi]

Yesterday and earlier this week, I attended the EU Defence Ministers’ meeting in Nicosia, Cyprus, in my capacity as Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE). @EP_Defence

Nicosia sent a signal – and a very clear one: Europe has shown that it can deliver when it musters the necessary political will.

First and foremost: the European Peace Facility is finally being put to use. Hungary has lifted its years-long veto, and the €6.6 billion that had been blocked for the reimbursement of weapons deliveries to Ukraine can now be released. This is not merely an accounting correction – it is a political signal of considerable significance. Those who have supported Ukraine will no longer be kept waiting. Europe is reliable.

The fact that, for the first time, sanctions have been imposed under the EU’s new regime to safeguard freedom of navigation against Iranian individuals and entities obstructing maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is equally remarkable. Europe will not allow itself to be blackmailed – neither on the battlefield nor at sea. Free trade routes cannot be taken for granted, and the EU is proving that it is prepared to defend them.

Kaja Kallas made the priorities very clear: support for Ukraine, maritime security and the situation in the Middle East were at the centre of discussions. I fully share this focus. Russia is losing: money, people and momentum. But that does not mean Europe can ease the pressure. Quite the opposite: precisely now, as Putin comes under increasing pressure, unity is the most important instrument we have.

As Chair of SEDE, I will ensure that the European Parliament provides the necessary parliamentary impetus: for a strong and capable European Defence Union, for the consistent use of the European Peace Facility, and for a European defence industry that truly lives up to its name.

Nicosia has shown: when Europe has the will, Europe has the ability to act.

[Roberta Metsola @EP_President]

Approved by @Europarl_EN: Canada becomes the first non-European partner to join the 'Security Action for Europe' framework.

An instrument that keeps people safer, supports investment in critical capabilities, and creates new opportunities for our industries.

An agreement that strengthens our partnership and practical cooperation on security and defence 🇪🇺🇨🇦

@MAStrackZi @bbudka

[SEDE Committee Press @EP_Defence]

These agreements constitute important steps forward when it comes to moving ahead with the proposed Defence Omnibus. MEPs will also aim to reconvene to finalise the last pillar of this package in the near future.

2/2

[SEDE Committee Press @EP_Defence]

MEPs have struck provisional agreements with @CY2026EU on the following proposals:

📌 Defence readiness and facilitating defence investments and conditions for defence industry
📌 The acceleration of permit-granting for defence readiness projects

1/2

[Roberta Metsola @EP_President]

Great to open the EU Defence Exhibition at @Europarl_EN in Strasbourg tonight before it travels across Europe to bring the discussion closer to people.

With European Commissioner @KubiliusA, @EP_Defence Chair @MAStrackZi and Members of @Europarl_EN, we will continue explaining why investing in security is needed to build a safer Europe that protects everyone and safeguards peace.

[Canada in EU 🇨🇦🇪🇺 @Canada2EU]

Ambassador @nickbrousseau was pleased to talk with @MAStrackZi and @EP_Defence Committee before their visit to Canada. Great opportunity to highlight the strength of the #CanadaEU 🇨🇦🇪🇺 partnership as we deepen our cooperation on security, defence, Ukraine, and shared priorities.

[SEDE Committee Press @EP_Defence]

🆕 @EP_Defence meets on Wednesday and Thursday.

On the agenda: https://t.co/lqIkdqRmeC

📌 EU-Canada Security and Defence Partnership
📌 Military Mobility
📌 Participation of Canada in the SAFE instrument

🔴 📽️ Follow live 👉 https://t.co/AnwxvqFff2

[ITRE Committee Press @EP_Industry]

🗳️@EP_Industry & @EP_Defence jointly adopted (78 ✅ / 11 ❌ / 5 ⏺️) the recommendation for consent to the EU-Canada Agreement enabling Canadian legal entities & products to participate in procurement under the EU's SAFE Instrument Next step #EPlenary Lead MEPs @MAStrackZi @bbudka

[SEDE Committee Press @EP_Defence]

🆕 In @EP_Defence this week:

📌 Priorities for financing defence in Europe
📌 Structured Dialogue with @KubiliusA

For more info, see the agendas below

Agenda 1 👉 https://t.co/DhBsuchmpx
Agenda 2 👉 https://t.co/zelZFzo1Ah

[SEDE Committee Press @EP_Defence]

🆕 Tomorrow at 14.30 CET, MEPs on @EP_Defence and @EP_Transport will hold a first discussion on the draft report on the "Framework of measures to facilitate the transport of military equipment, goods and personnel across the 🇪🇺".

📜 Agenda 👉 https://t.co/ItZjVq36zR

[SEDE Committee Press @EP_Defence]

🆕 At 09.00 CET, @EP_Defence MEPs will exchange views on "ending Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine" with invited guests Vladimir Milov, Ekaterina Schulmann and Joris van Bladel.

🔴 📽️ Watch live: https://t.co/7I9Nk5Leer 👇

[SEDE Committee Press @EP_Defence]

🆕 This week in @EP_Defence (Wed 18/3 and Thu 19/3):

📌 Discussion on how to end Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine
📌 Current developments on EU Security and Defence
📌 Defence Scrutiny - European Defence Fund

Agenda 👉 https://t.co/MTgNv2Wpu7

[European Defence Agency @EUDefenceAgency]

🏭Get ready for the EDA Defence Industry Conference

We will discuss questions related to the EU's defence technological and industrial base (EDTIB).

️➡Read the full programme: https://t.co/POhyMEddge

#EUDefence #StrongerTogether

[Oleg Shymanskyi @o_shym]

Thank you @MAStrackZi for the opportunity to speak at @Europarl_EN on this sad day! Ukraine will prevail with Europe's support. @wbeke @PR_Thionnet @gquille

[SEDE Committee Press @EP_Defence]

🔜 Starting at around 09.00 CET, @EP_Defence MEPs will exchange views with Lieutenant General André Denk, Chief Executive of the @EUDefenceAgency.

🔴 📽️ Follow live: https://t.co/LdvFUJcP47 👇

[SEDE Committee Press @EP_Defence]

Next week in SEDE
📌EU-India Security and Defence Partnership
📌EU-Canada cooperation & security challenges in the Arctic
📌Connecting Europe Facility
📌Common European Defence Union
Meeting agenda
https://t.co/RvKwbgj1Tw
Follow live https://t.co/6GeP0a06TV