On Wednesday, 2 April, the European Parliament adopted its annual report on the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) during the plenary session. EUROMIL welcomes the adoption of this crucial report, which comes at a particularly significant moment given the evolving geopolitical landscape. The current security environment demands bold actions and enhanced cooperation among EU Member States to strengthen European defence.

A central focus of the report is the need to foster a common strategic culture in security and defence. It also the importance of integrating gender perspectives into CSDP to enhance operational effectiveness. Furthermore, recognizing the shifting geopolitical context, the Parliament calls for a revision of the threat analysis under the Strategic Compass framework. The work done on the Rapid Deployment Capacity (RDC) is highly valued, but further action is needed, particularly in addressing the practical implementation of Article 44 TEU in the RDC’s operationalisation. Strengthening European defence capabilities remains the overarching goal, with key instruments and tolls contributing to this objective, such as the European Defence Innovation Programme (EDIP) contributing to this objective.

One of the critical challenges in European defence—often overlooked at the collective EU level—is recruitment and retention in the armed forces. The report highlights that CSDP missions remain understaffed, both in civilian and military personnel. Article 137 of the report stresses the urgent need for the EU and its Member States to tackle recruitment and retention challenges through coordinated national and EU-level actions to ensure a sustainable military workforce. Additionally, the report recommends that the EU support Member States in developing policies to enhance career attractiveness and long-term retention strategies. This aligns with findings from the Niinistö Report and discussions in the Preparedness Union Strategy, both of which highlight the challenges posed by a shrinking defence workforce. In this context, the Parliament calls on the EU Military Committee (EUMC) to collect and analyse data from Member States on recruitment and retention challenges, with the aim of identifying practical solutions. The report also emphasizes the importance of addressing the mental health and well-being of military personnel, including professional development and long-term care for veterans—crucial aspects in shaping the European Defence Union.

Another key priority highlighted in the report is the need to enhance interoperability among European armed forces through joint training and exercises. To achieve this, the Parliament advocates for the development of EU-level exchange programs for military personnel, enabling them to gain experience in different European military environments and structures. Such initiatives would foster mutual understanding, cohesion, and interoperability within EU armed forces while strengthening a shared European military culture. In this regard, the report reiterates its strong support for the European Initiative for the Exchange of Military Young Officers (Military Erasmus – EMILYO), which is managed by the European Security and Defence College.

The European Union is advancing its security and defence strategy through key initiatives such as the White Paper on Defence, the Preparedness Union Strategy, and the Internal Security Strategy, alongside upcoming regulatory measures like the Defence Omnibus Simplification Package. However, while these strategic developments are crucial, the needs of military personnel must not be overlooked. The European Parliament’s report outlines essential steps to enhance Europe’s defence and resilience, reinforcing the vision of a European Defence Union—a commitment reiterated by President von der Leyen.