September 23, 2025

The following is a press release:

Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine, combined with rising hybrid threats, has profoundly reshaped the EU’s approach to defence and security, accelerating the drive towards a more responsive policy. Against this backdrop, the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) today officially launched its Working Group on Defence (WG Defence), to embed regional and local perspectives in EU defence and to strengthen Europe’s resilience by promoting territorial contributions to defence readiness, civil protection, crisis response and a competitive defence industry.

By providing a structured forum for cooperation, the WG Defence, chaired by Fernando López Miras (ES/EPP), President of the Region of Murcia, aims to connect local and regional authorities with EU institutions, foster the exchange of best practices, and support a more coordinated and effective European Defence Union.

During the meeting, members of the WG exchanged views on the security situation in their constituencies, presenting relevant projects, investments and best-case practices in areas such as civil protection, resilience, cybersecurity and countering disinformation. The exchange highlighted the diversity of local challenges but also the common commitment of regions and cities to contribute to Europe’s security.

The Working Group also held a debate with Klaus Welle, Special Advisor to Andrius Kubilius, European Commissioner for Defence and Space, who presented the European Commission’s latest initiatives to strengthen Europe’s defence readiness and industry. Members welcomed the Commission’s ambition to accelerate Europe’s defence integration and highlighted the importance of involving local and regional authorities in the implementation of this reinforced defence integration.

The WG Defence adopted its roadmap for the 2025-2027 period, focusing on the following priority areas:

Investments in defence capabilities: ensuring EU funds strengthen regional industry ecosystems, SMEs, research centres, and dual-use projects.

Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034: ensuring robust EU-level support for defence, security, and space, including a fivefold increase in defence allocations.

Civil protection mechanism: strengthening community resilience, training, citizen awareness, and volunteer mobilisation at the local level.

Transport: upgrading dual-use infrastructure, including rail corridors and border crossing points.

Countering hybrid threats: enhancing cooperation between LRAs, Member States and EU institutions to detect and respond to foreign information manipulation and interference.

Members also discussed three strategic opinions currently under preparation within the CoR:

European Defence Readiness 2030 – presented by Ricardo Rio (PT/EPP), Mayor of Braga

Local and regional perspectives in the implementation of ProtectEU, the new European Internal Security Strategy – presented by Anne Rudisuhli (FR/Renew Europe), Departmental Councillor of Bouches-du-Rhône

European Preparedness Union Strategy – presented by María Isabel Urrutia De Los Mozos (ES/EPP), Regional Minister for the Presidency, Justice, Security and Administrative Simplification, Government of Cantabria

Quote

Fernando López Miras (ES/EPP), President of the Murcia region: “The launch of the European Committee of the Regions’ Working Group on Defence comes at a decisive moment. Our goal is clear: to give regions and cities a voice in the European debates on defence, security, preparedness and resilience. We will contribute the territorial perspective, the vision and experience drawn from the governance and management of our cities and regions, our direct connection with the territory, industrial and innovation ecosystems, and citizens themselves. We know the value we bring and embrace our strategic responsibility to help build a stronger, more competitive and more secure Europe.”

Background

Video and photos from the meeting

The Working Group on Defence (WG Defence) was established on 1 April 2025 by the Bureau of the European Committee of the Regions, to reflect on and promote the contribution of local and regional authorities to the European Union’s evolving security and defence architecture.

The establishment of the WG Defence follows the European Council’s calls for Europe to take greater responsibility for its own security in the wake of Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine and rising hybrid threats. The WG will act as a platform for inter-institutional cooperation with the European Parliament’s Security and Defence Committee (SEDE), the European Commission’s Project Group on Defence, and other institutional and territorial partners.

Contact

Theresa Sostmann

Tel: +32475999415

Theresa.Sostmann@cor.europa.eu