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REPORT (2023/2119(INI))

Implementation of the common security and defence policy – annual report 2023

A-9-2023-0403

Committee on Foreign Affairs · Rapporteur: Sven Mikser

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Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

Parliament's resolution on the implementation of the common security and defence policy in 2023 reviews EU defence action and sets out demands for the years ahead. It calls for continued military support to Ukraine, including a EUR 20 billion assistance fund within the European Peace Facility of up to EUR 5 billion per year between 2023 and 2027. It asks for a stronger European defence industry, more joint procurement, higher defence spending and new instruments such as a European Defence Investment Programme. It demands more robust CSDP missions and operations, better funding, gender equality, climate and cultural heritage components, and stronger action against hybrid threats and foreign information manipulation. It sets out positions on the Sahel, Armenia and Azerbaijan, Moldova, Georgia, the Western Balkans, Türkiye, the Middle East, China, the Arctic and cooperation with NATO, the United States and other partners.

Committee position. The Committee on Foreign Affairs proposes a resolution reviewing the implementation of the common security and defence policy in 2023, calling for continued support to Ukraine, stronger European defence capabilities and industry, more robust CSDP missions, and action against hybrid and information threats.

Key points

  1. Parliament condemns Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and confirms the EU will keep providing military means until Ukraine restores its territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.
  2. It welcomes a proposed EUR 20 billion European Peace Facility assistance fund for Ukraine of up to EUR 5 billion per year between 2023 and 2027 and asks member states to approve it quickly.
  3. It welcomes the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine and the training of up to 30 000 troops, and backs an increased target of 40 000 soldiers by the end of 2023.
  4. It urges faster delivery of ammunition, notes the aim to provide one million artillery rounds to Ukraine by March 2024 and calls for rapid implementation of the Act in Support of Ammunition Production.
  5. It calls for an update of the Strategic Compass, qualified majority voting in the Council for foreign and security policy without military implications, and a Defence Union Commissioner.
  6. It demands full operational capability of the Military Planning and Conduct Capability by 2025 with up to 250 personnel, and a Rapid Deployment Capacity of at least 5 000 troops operational by 2025.
  7. It calls for more joint procurement and investment, minimum benchmarks of 35 % for collaborative defence equipment procurement and 20 % for collaborative defence research, and at least 2 % of GDP in defence spending by EU NATO members.
  8. It asks for a further EUR 1 billion for the European Defence Fund on top of the Commission's suggested EUR 1.5 billion, and for a European Defence Investment Programme with adequate funding.
  9. It calls for more robust and flexible CSDP missions with clear goals, impact assessments, sunset provisions, and components on cultural heritage protection and preventive diplomacy.
  10. It calls for gender perspectives in all CSDP planning, at least 40 % representation of women in civilian CSDP international staff, and action against sexual violence as a tool of warfare.
  11. It calls for stronger action against hybrid threats, foreign information manipulation and interference, cyberattacks and private military companies such as the Wagner Group.
  12. It sets out positions on the Sahel, Armenia, Moldova, Georgia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Middle East, Türkiye, China, the Arctic and North Korea, and calls for stronger EU-NATO and EU-US cooperation.

Who is affected

  • Ukraine: continued EU military assistance, training and ammunition deliveries, and support for its EU and NATO membership.
  • EU member states: called to increase defence spending, joint procurement, personnel contributions and ratification of Sweden's NATO accession.
  • European defence industry: asked to ramp up production capacity and give small and medium-sized enterprises access to bidding.
  • CSDP missions and operations: to receive more robust mandates, resources, gender advisors and protection against hybrid threats.
  • Partner countries in the Sahel, Western Balkans, Eastern Neighbourhood and Africa: support, training and revised EU engagement.

Figures and deadlines

  • over EUR 5 billion worth of military equipment provided to Ukraine through the European Peace Facility
  • EUR 20 billion assistance fund within the European Peace Facility, up to EUR 5 billion per year between 2023 and 2027
  • one million artillery rounds to Ukraine by March 2024
  • up to 30 000 troops trained, with an increased target of 40 000 Ukrainian soldiers by the end of 2023
  • Military Planning and Conduct Capability full operational capability by 2025 and staffing up to 250 personnel
  • Rapid Deployment Capacity of at least 5 000 troops, operational by 2025, with some parts having a notice to move of 5 to 10 days
  • up to 60 000 troops from member states on a voluntary basis under the 1999 Helsinki Headline Goal
  • 35 % European collaborative defence equipment procurement benchmark and 20 % European collaborative defence research and technology benchmark

Legal basis: Title V of the Treaty on European Union, in particular Chapter Two, Section Two on provisions on the common security and defence policy, and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.