Enhanced cooperation between NATO, the European Union, and local and regional authorities, the growing role of regions and cities in defence, resilience, and crisis preparedness, the need to integrate local and regional actors into defence planning and implementation, strengthening EU defence production capacity and industrial mobilisation. These were the key points discussed by EPP-CoR members during the meeting of the Committee of the Regions (CoR) Working Group on Defence convened in Brussels under the chairmanship of Fernando López Miras (ES/EPP), bringing together regional and local leaders to address Europe’s evolving security and defence priorities.
Opening the meeting, Chair Fernando López Miras highlighted the significant shift in the European Union’s approach to defence, stressing the move from planning to concrete action: “The European Union has now moved decisively from strategic concepts to concrete defence programmes, with the support of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Last week, at the European Council meeting, leaders called for additional measures to ensure the urgent implementation of both instruments, Security Action for Europe (SAFE) and European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP).” He further underlined the broader strategic context and the scale of the transformation underway: “With new funding streams emerging, capacity coalitions taking shape, ambitious flagship initiatives being launched, and a clear direction set out in the Defence Readiness Roadmap 2030, the European Union is entering a crucial phase of defence integration and industrial mobilisation.”
The discussions reflected a shared understanding that strengthening Europe’s defence requires not only EU-level action but also strong territorial engagement. Members emphasised that regions and cities are central to hosting infrastructure, supporting industry, and ensuring preparedness on the ground. A key exchange of views with NATO, represented by Christian Liflander, highlighted the deepening cooperation between NATO and the European Union, particularly in areas such as military mobility, industrial capacity, and coordinated planning. Olgierd Geblewicz, (PL/EPP) President of West Pomerania drew attention to the concrete responsibilities of regions, particularly those hosting military infrastructure and personnel: "One of our major cities is home to a NATO Corps headquarters, bringing together personnel from across Allied countries. These soldiers often arrive with their families, whose children grow up and are educated in our region. This highlights the importance of such cooperation, which is essential and must be fully recognised."
Stressing the important role of regions in defence he said “If we are serious about building a common defence policy and a shared sense of security, then we must take into consideration all levels of governance, because it is in our territories and in our regions that troops would be deployed.” He also stressed the practical role of local and regional authorities in ensuring that systems such as healthcare, emergency services, and civil protection function effectively in support of defence and resilience efforts.
Geblewicz also referred to the EPP's position adopted by the EPP Summit, which states that, past and present threats to peace in Europe urge us to define further and to operationalise article 42(7) TEU, to create a dependable "Mutual Defence Clause", ensuring that it complements Article 5 of the NATO treaty.
A strong consensus emerged on the importance of a “whole-of-government” and “whole-of-society” approach, with local and regional authorities playing a central role in preparedness, crisis response, and resilience-building.
Background
The meeting forms part of the ongoing work of the CoR Working Group on Defence, chaired by Fernando López Miras, which brings together regional and local representatives to contribute to EU defence policy discussions. The EPP Members of the Working Group are Fernando López Miras, President of the Region of Murcia, Olgierd Geblewicz, President of West Pomerania and Knapp, Lord Mayor of the City of Suhl.
The agenda included a visit and exchange of views at the headquarters of the European Defence Agency as well as discussions on civil protection, space policy, and regional innovation ecosystems in defence.
The Working Group operates in the context of deepening EU defence cooperation, including initiatives such as the Defence Readiness Roadmap 2030, and aims to ensure that the territorial dimension—cities and regions—is fully integrated into Europe’s defence and resilience framework.
The next meeting of the Working Group will take place in Cartagena, Murcia on 16 June.