EPP-CoR members called for regions and cities to be fully involved in the transformation of Europe’s defence industry during today’s debate in the European Committee of the Regions’ Commission for Economic Policy (ECON) on the EU Defence Industry Transformation Roadmap. Members underlined that Europe’s defence readiness is not only a question of security, but also of competitiveness, innovation, strategic autonomy, quality jobs and territorial cohesion.
They stressed that regional ecosystems, SMEs, universities, research centres, technological institutes and local industrial capacities must be recognised as essential drivers of Europe’s defence transformation. The debate also highlighted the need for flexible access to EU funding, industrial scaling-up, dual-use technologies, skills development and effective multilevel governance.
Jesús Gamallo Aller (ES/EPP), Director-General for External Relations and Relations with the European Union of the Regional Government of Galicia, welcomed the roadmap’s focus on the territorial dimension of Europe’s defence industry transformation.
“The transformation of Europe’s defence industry is not only a military or industrial issue. It is also about competitiveness, innovation and resilience in our regions and cities. Galicia, with its strong naval and maritime sectors, growing aerospace industry, expanding cybersecurity and AI ecosystem, and innovative SMEs, shows how regions can be key actors in this process. The EU must support the industrial scaling-up of SMEs, map regional capacities and ensure effective multilevel governance,” he said.
Ruth Merino (ES/EPP), Regional Vice-Minister for the Representation to the European Union and the Spanish Autonomous Regions of the Government of the Region of Valencia, underlined that Europe’s defence policy must be rooted in regional industrial and technological ecosystems.
“Europe’s defence policy must be built not only around investment, but around a truly European industrial, technological and territorial ecosystem. Companies, universities, technological institutes, talent and logistics are rooted in our regions, which is why regions must be involved in both the design and implementation of this policy. In the Valencian Community, we are already moving in this direction through the Valencian Alliance for Defence and Security. Defence strengthens Europe’s strategic autonomy, but it also creates innovation, investment, added value and quality jobs in our regions,” she said.
She also pointed to the recent launch of the Valencian Alliance for Defence and Security, bringing together companies, universities, chambers of commerce and other stakeholders as part of the region’s first industrial defence strategy. She stressed that regional ecosystems and SMEs need flexible access to European financing, including support for the transformation of traditional sectors towards dual-use production.
Adrian Teban (RO/EPP), Mayor of Cugir, highlighted the importance of innovation, SMEs and local industrial ecosystems. Speaking from the perspective of a Romanian city with a long history in the defence industry, he stressed that Europe must invest in research, advanced technologies and skills.
“Europe’s security and competitiveness depend on our ability to innovate. We must invest in research, innovation and cutting-edge technologies, while ensuring that SMEs are fully part of this transformation. Local and regional authorities are not just beneficiaries; we are active partners in building industrial ecosystems that bring together businesses, universities, research centres and vocational education providers. By equipping our regions, SMEs and communities with the right tools, we can build a more competitive, resilient and secure Europe,” he said.
Antal Árpád (RO/EPP), Mayor of Sfântu Gheorghe, warned that defence-related investment must not widen territorial inequalities. He called for Europe’s defence industrial transformation to be linked with cohesion and balanced territorial development.
“Europe needs major investment in this strategic sector, but this investment must not deepen territorial inequalities. We must ensure that poorer regions are also supported, and that funding does not flow only to already wealthy cities, regions or Member States. A truly European defence ecosystem must combine competitiveness with cohesion, so that all territories can contribute to a stronger, more secure and more balanced Europe,” he said.
Closing the debate, Alberto Cirio (IT/EPP), President of the Piedmont Region and Chair of the ECON Commission, stressed that defence is a precondition for Europe’s sovereignty and credibility on the global stage.
“Europe must be able to defend itself if it wants to conduct a credible foreign policy. Sovereignty is not only a legal concept; it also depends on the capacity to protect what is ours. Without defence, Europe cannot be fully sovereign, credible or capable of acting on the international stage,” he said.
EPP-CoR members concluded that the EU Defence Industry Transformation Roadmap must put regions, cities and SMEs at the heart of Europe’s defence ecosystem. They called for EU legislation, funding instruments and institutional structures to properly reflect the role of local and regional authorities in delivering a more secure, innovative, competitive and cohesive Europe.