🆕 Starting at 09.00 CEST: @EP_Defence MEPs will exchange views with @EUDefenceAgency Chief Executive André Denk. Full committee meeting agenda 👉 https://t.co/pRdko3nfTX 🔴 📽️ Watch live: https://t.co/9sXUAtXoaY 👇

I am glad to appoint General André Denk as Chief Executive of @EUDefenceAgency. The agency's role in developing joint military capabilities and driving innovation is more crucial than ever. General Denk’s leadership will be a real asset. I look forward to our work together.

The coming months are going to be challenging, not only b/c the autumn half of the year is always somewhat "condensed" due to the way in which the EU calendar works. However, they are also something to look forward to - a lot will be accomplished 🙂 #CSDP #LaRentree

"Autumn semester" week 1 almost done! It'll be a busy one for EDA & #EUdefence more broadly: new EU leadership coming in (i.a. new HR/Head of EDA), RU's on-going war against UA, EDIP discussions, EDA Steering Boards (including a ministerial one in Nov), just to name a few things.

Today, @EUDefenceAgency's MoDs Steering Board approved EDA's 2024 Long-Term Review. It provides strategic guidance to the Agency & redefines its core tasks. It was conducted against the background of a challenging strategic environment & EDA's 20th anniversary. #EUdefence

The Lisbon Treaty and I would like to wish everyone a happy ##EuropeDay 🙂 🇪🇺

Celebrating the first anniversary of Finland's @NATO membership in Brussels earlier today 🇫🇮

Today, EDA’s Steering Board met for the 1st time in 2024. The meeting was held in the composition of National Armaments Directors (NADs). 1st meeting chaired by LtGen Göran Mårtensson 🇸🇪, who assumed the Chairmanship of the NADs SB at the beginning of the year. #EUdefence

Defence policy and the armed forces are and remain exclusive national competence. I fully share German Defence Minister Pistorius' views: priority must be given now to better coordination of Member States' defense policies.

Today, @EU_Commission & HR @JosepBorrellF published the European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS) - the result of several months of work for those involved. The COM also tabled a proposal for a regulation on a European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP).

#WeAreNATO

We've heard this before. It's as logical as arguing that getting fire insurance is a threat to the pyromaniac. Moscow has itself to blame. Europe is more secure with Finland in #NATO. Russia warns Finland’s Nato membership risks escalating conflict -

There it finally is: the Finnish flag, flying alongside those of other @NATO allies at the HQ in Brussels. What a moment!

"The era of military non-alingment in our history has come to an end. A new era begins." Statement by 🇫🇮 President @niinisto.

The City of Brussels raises the Finnish flag on its City Hall to welcome Finland into @NATO 🇫🇮

Tänään se viimein tapahtuu: Suomen lippu nousee Naton päämajassa muiden liittolaisten lippujen rinnalle iltapäivällä ja Suomen Nato-prosessi päättyy. Alkaa uusi aikakausi Naton jäsenmaana. Historiallinen päivä.

Today's the day. Finland will deposit its instrument of accession to the North Atlantic Treaty w/ the US State Dept & the 🇫🇮 flag will be raised alongside those of other allies at the NATO HQ. A historic day that'll mark the beginning of a new era for 🇫🇮.

Tomorrow, #Finland will officially join #NATO. Only a few years ago, this did not seem possible or even realistic. But events, as they say, have a tenancy to rewrite what is possible in a short period of time. I'm so happy to be able to witness and experience this as a Finn. 🇫🇮

The key point here is that Europe's dependency on imported raw materials is also affecting its ability to act in the security and defence field. Explosives shortage threatens EU drive to arm Ukraine - https://t.co/P1WVBrTZK7 via @FT

Here's the EU's update (or enhanced) Maritime Security Strategy "for evolving maritime threats". The original document was published back in 2014. Quite a lot has happened since then. #EUdefence