Tisza: EP position on EDIP ‘another step towards defence union’

MEPS of Hungary’s opposition Tisza Party said Thursday’s adoption of a position on the European Defence Industry Programme has been “another step towards a European Defence Union.”

The statement said the adoption of the position allows for talks between the EP and the European Council. It added that if both bodies pass the proposal, it would facilitate setting up a pool of 1.5 billion euros to support the common development of the EU’s defence industry.

Tisza said EDIP aims to reduce the EU’s dependence on third countries, increase internal cooperation, and support the integration of the defence industry within Europe.

MEPs of Tisza are committed to ensuring that EDIP facilitates “real progress” in building a common European defence system, while providing new opportunities to the Hungarian industry, the statement said.

“Russia’s aggression and deterioration of the global security environment have demonstrated that it is not enough for Europe to spend more; it must also spend better … increased national spending will only increase our security if those (procurements) are used in a coordinated way,” the statement quoted MEP Eszter Lakos as saying.

According to the statement, EDIP is “especially important for countries such as Hungary, which cannot develop complex defence systems on their own”. “Large consortiums could offer opportunities to the smaller states, too, so that they can integrate in the supply chain of defence, building know how and create high quality jobs,” Lakos said. “EDIP will not resolve all problems on its own, but it will be a crucial step towards a common European architecture,” she added.

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