Resolution on implications of a common security and defence policy

The European Parliament's foreign and constitutional affairs committees approved on 9 February 2017 a joint resolution on the constitutional, legal and institutional implications of a common security and defence policy, and specifically the possibilities offered by the Lisbon Treaty in this regard.

This resolution aims to clarify the European Parliament’s position on the future of EU defence policies. It explores possibilities for deepening EU-wide defence cooperation within the framework of the current Lisbon Treaty.

The report considers that defence cooperation in the European Union was more dependent on political will than on legal considerations. It argues for the European Defence Agency to be treated as a sui generis EU institution, funded by the EU budget, and advocates a 'defence ministers' meeting format in the context of the Council of the European Union.

The resolution was further discussed and later adopted by the Parliament's plenary session on 16 March 2017.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: European defence: the year ahead http://www.europeansources.info/record/european-defence-the-year-ahead/

ESO: Background information: EU Security and Defence package http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-security-and-defence-package/

EurActiv, 10.02.07: MEPs urge EU countries to boost defence cooperation ‘in times of external crisis’ http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/meps-call-eu-countries-to-boost-defence-cooperation-in-times-of-external-crises/

European Parliament: Press Release, 09.02.17: Defence: MEPs urge member states to show political will and join forces http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20170209IPR61715/

European Parliament: Press Release, 16.03.17: Parliament wants to boost European defence by increasing cooperation [Infographic] http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20170310STO66196/

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