Security and Defence Subcommittee (SEDE) - European Parliament

On 25 June 2025, from 14:30 to 16:15, the FISC Subcommittee will host a joint public hearing with the SEDE Committee on "The European Defence Union: Tax Matters". The hearing will focus on the legislative framework governing VAT exemptions for defence-related activities carried out under the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).

It will examine the 2015 Council Decision granting VAT exemptions to NATO and EU agencies for defence efforts supporting the implementation of Union activities, and assess how effectively Member States are applying these provisions.

In particular, the discussion will explore the cooperation mechanisms between the European Commission, national Ministries of Finance, and Ministries of Defence in ensuring consistent and compliant implementation of the VAT exemptions. The panel will also address the operational and administrative challenges encountered in the field. The insights gathered will contribute to the broader debate on strengthening the fiscal framework underpinning European defence initiatives, including the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) and upcoming measures under the ReArm Europe Plan and Readiness 2030 strategy.
Location : European Parliament - SPAAK (5B001) - Brussels
Programme of the hearing
Webstreaming
Mr Ludwig de Winter, Acting Head of Unit, VAT Policy (TAXUD.C.1), Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union, European Commission
     Statement
Ms Kaija Schilde, Associate Dean of Studies, Pardee School of Global Studies, Boston University
     PowerPoint Presentation
     Statement
Background document provided by the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS)
     Tax challenges facing the European defence union
Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Length of video : 50'

Disclaimer : The interpretation of debates serves to facilitate communication and does not constitute an authentic record of proceedings. Only the original speech or the revised written translation is authentic.
Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Length of video : 75'

Disclaimer : The interpretation of debates serves to facilitate communication and does not constitute an authentic record of proceedings. Only the original speech or the revised written translation is authentic.
Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Following up on SEDE's recent visit to the Republic of Moldova, SEDE Members will host on 26 June, Anatolie Nosatîi, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Moldova, to discuss the latest security and defence developments in the country, in particular the spill-over of Russia's ongoing military aggression against Ukraine and increased hybrid war activities. They will also talk about EU-Moldova security and defence cooperation, which has significantly increased over the years, namely
through European Peace Facility assistance and the EU Partnership Mission. On the same day, the Chair of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, will address the SEDE Committee. In the context of important summits this week, including the NATO Hague Summit, discussions will focus on strengthening European security in the context of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and the critical importance of EU-NATO pillars for a the Transatlantic Alliance. This exchange of view will be held in association with the Delegation for relations with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.
Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council Amending Regulations (EU) 2021/1058 and (EU) 2021/1056 as regards specific measures to address strategic challenges in the context of the mid-term review
Committee on Security and Defence
Riho Terras

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on Amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1057 establishing the European Social Fund + (ESF+) as regards specific measures to address strategic challenges
Committee on Security and Defence
Urmas Paet

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

DRAFT OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulations (EU) 2021/694, (EU) 2021/695, (EU) 2021/697, (EU) 2021/1153, (EU) 2023/1525 and 2024/795, as regards incentivising defence-related investments in the EU budget to implement the ReArm Europe Plan
Committee on Security and Defence
Thijs Reuten

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

On 25 June, from 14:30 to 16:15, the FISC Subcommittee will host a joint public hearing with the SEDE Committee on "The European Defence Union: Tax Matters". The hearing will focus on the legislative framework governing VAT exemptions for defence-related activities carried out under the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).
It will examine the 2015 Council Decision granting VAT exemptions to NATO and EU agencies for defence efforts supporting the implementation of Union activities, and assess how effectively Member States are applying these provisions.

In particular, the discussion will explore the cooperation mechanisms between the European Commission, national Ministries of Finance, and Ministries of Defence in ensuring consistent and compliant implementation of the VAT exemptions. The panel will also address the operational and administrative challenges encountered in the field. The insights gathered will contribute to the broader debate on strengthening the fiscal framework underpinning European defence initiatives, including the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP) and upcoming measures under the ReArm Europe Plan and Readiness 2030 strategy.
Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Length of video : 60'

Disclaimer : The interpretation of debates serves to facilitate communication and does not constitute an authentic record of proceedings. Only the original speech or the revised written translation is authentic.
Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Length of video : 45'

Disclaimer : The interpretation of debates serves to facilitate communication and does not constitute an authentic record of proceedings. Only the original speech or the revised written translation is authentic.
Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

On 17 June, immediately after publication, Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius will present the Defence omnibus to the SEDE Members. This omnibus, announced in the White Paper, proposes amendments to simplify the legal and administrative framework in order to address obstacles and bottlenecks hindering a rapid ramping up of the defence industry and thereby strengthening European defence.
Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

The following extraordinary meetings of the Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE) are scheduled to take place on:

• Monday, 16 June 2025, 20.30 - 21.15, Strasbourg (room CHURCHILL 200)

• Tuesday 17 June 2025, 20.30 - 21.30, Strasbourg (room WEISS R5.1)

Further information about the SEDE meetings can be found here.

_______________________

SEDE missions 2025:

• Norway - 27 - 30 May 2025
• Moldova and Ukraine - 14-17 April 2025
  
• Bosnia and Herzegovina - 24-27 February 2025
• Israel and Palestine - 5-8 February 2025

SEDE missions 2024:

• United Kingdom - 28-30 October 2024
• Ukraine - 25-26 October 2024

SEDE Committee meetings' calendar 2025
EP calendar 2025
SEDE meetings' calendar 2nd half of 2024 - 10th legislature
Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Length of video : 90'

Disclaimer : The interpretation of debates serves to facilitate communication and does not constitute an authentic record of proceedings. Only the original speech or the revised written translation is authentic.
Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Length of video : 135'

Disclaimer : The interpretation of debates serves to facilitate communication and does not constitute an authentic record of proceedings. Only the original speech or the revised written translation is authentic.
Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

On 26 March, the Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) jointly launched the new EU Preparedness Union Strategy, which will be presented in a joint meeting of the SEDE, ENVI, and LIBE committees, on 3 June. The strategy outlines how the EU aims to better anticipate, prevent and respond to risks such as cyberattacks, disinformation, and climate impacts.
The EU Preparedness Union Strategy is a direct follow-up to the Niinistö Report's recommendations on strengthening the EU's preparedness. It proposes 30 key actions and an Action Plan to improve Europe's ability to manage risks ranging from cyber threats and disinformation to climate change. The strategy calls for a shared European approach, recognising preparedness as not just a national but a Union-wide responsibility. It promotes a "preparedness by design" culture across all EU policies. The initiative is led by Commissioner Hadja Lahbib, responsible for equality, preparedness, and crisis management, including civil preparedness and international cooperation on disaster risk management. The strategy highlights the need for stronger coordination and resilience mechanisms across the EU in response to growing and complex threats.
Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP