March 20, 2025

The following is a press release:

The President of the European Committee of the Regions, Kata Tüttő, and the CoR rapporteur on the European defence industry and President of Murcia, Fernando Lopez Miras, welcomed the White Paper on Defence, published today by the European Commission. They stressed the key role of local and regional authorities for Europe’s safety and resilience as well as the contribution provided by Cohesion Policy in delivering security for all citizens, pointing out that the objective of reinforcing Europe’s defence capacities requires appropriate additional resources.

Kata Tüttő (HU/PES), President of the European Committee of the Regions, said: “I welcome the European Commission’s White Paper on Defence, which rightly acknowledges that Cohesion Policy is already a pillar of European security – far beyond military defence. True resilience depends on strong cohesive regions: economically, socially, environmentally, and institutionally. A strong Europe must be strong both on the outside and the inside, ensuring that Europe's security cannot come at the cost of its territorial and social cohesion. It is now key to secure new resources for defence and resilience, rather than diverting existing cohesion funds.”

Fernando Lopez Miras (ES/EPP), President of Murcia and CoR rapporteur on the opinion on “A Strong European Defence Industry”, said: “We are all necessary to meet the level of preparedness and response to the EU security and defence challenges. And regions can help. Under our competences and capabilities, in close collaboration with Member States and the European Commission, regions can and must make a meaningful contribution, assuming our share of this strategic responsibility: expanding and strengthening the defence ecosystem, working for skills to match the industry needs, promoting smart specialisation within the European value chains, and raising awareness with industry and citizens. Future EU defence programmes must involve regions in the efforts to strengthen the EU defence industry ecosystem.”

Contact

Theresa Sostmann

Tel: +32475999415

Theresa.Sostmann@cor.europa.eu

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The European Committee of the Regions

The European Committee of the Regions is the EU's assembly of regional and local representatives from all 27 Member States. Created in 1994 following the signing of the Maastricht Treaty, its mission is to involve regional and local authorities in the EU's decision-making process and to inform them about EU policies. The European Parliament, the Council and the European Commission consult the Committee in policy areas affecting regions and cities. To sit on the European Committee of the Regions, all of its 329 members and 329 alternates must either hold an electoral mandate or be politically accountable to an elected assembly in their home regions and cities. Click here for more details on your national delegation.