“Today 29 November, the European Defence Agency hosts its annual conference: From Unmanned to Autonomous Systems: Trends, Challenges and Opportunities. The event is the annual get-together of the EU establishment and the representatives of the defence industry. We, a group of 177 European scientists, are alarmed about the military turn the EU is taking. Both the … Read More
44 non-profit organisations across Europe alert on 4 major risks the European Defence Fund entails
Our EU leaders are currently discussing the next EU budgetary cycle that will run from 2021 to 2027. Among the proposals, one has so far caught little attention from the public and has been barely analysed in the EU media, let alone at national level. Yet the recently set-up European Defence Fund would deserve a … Read More
EP allows EU militarisation and the development of controversial weapons
Today the European Parliament adopted the European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP) proposed by the European Commission in June 2017, as a precursor of the future European Defence Fund. The European Network Against Arms Trade (ENAAT) is highly concerned by the adoption of such programme to subsidize the arms industry. By accepting the EDIDP, the … Read More
Open Statement to Members of the European Parliament: “Stop EU funding to military R&D”
Today, the European Network Against Arms Trade, SumOfUs and WeMove.EU sent an Open Statement to all Euro-Parliamentarians, asking them to resist further steps towards a militarization of the EU. Indeed, on Tuesday 3 July, the European Parliament will have its final vote on the European Defense Industrial Development Programme, already agreed by our national governments. … Read More
Over 700 researchers call on colleagues to speak out against EU military research programme
Today a coalition of science and peace organisations has launched the European initiative Researchers for Peace. Over 700 scientists and academics, most from 19 EU countries, have signed an online statement which calls on the EU to stop funding military research. They invite their colleagues in the research community to add their support. www.researchersforpeace.eu Read … Read More
The European Defence Fund will merely benefit the industry and trigger arms race in autonomous weapons, says ENAAT
Today the European Commission released its proposals for the Security and Defence heading under the next EU long-term budget. They confirm an unprecedented funding level for security and military priorites, with a Defence Fund jumping by 2200%. “The European Defence Fund will subsidize private actors for the Research & Development of controversial weaponry, which will … Read More
“News from the Brussels’ Bubble”: defence and security priorities under the next EU long-term budget
The latest edition of the EU Programme Newsletter sheds light on the recent EC general presentation of the next EU long-term budget (2021-2027) from a peace perspective, and in particular on the focus on security and defense priorities Read the NBB 2018-03 here
Press Release: Online info tool on EU Defence Fund provides all you need to know ahead of the European Summit
Tomorrow the European Summit will welcome the launch of the Permanent Structured cooperation (PESCO) and review ‘progress’ in other areas of Defence, and the European Parliament will discuss the EC proposal to fund the development phase of new military capabilities with the EU budget, as part of the European Defence Fund. The European Network Against … Read More
ENAAT Position paper: MEPs must critically scrutinize EU funding to military Research & Development
A crucial debate has started in the EU and key decisions will be taken by the European Parliament and by the Member States in the coming weeks and months. Not only these decisions will shape the future of the EU but they will also influence how the world is addressing and responding to environmental, societal … Read More
“How the arms industry is hijacking Europe’s defence policy”: a new report from Vredesactie documents the symbiotic relationship between the arms industry and the EU institutions.
40 billion euros. That’s how much the European Union wants to spend on the research and development of new weapons during the next 10 years. The establishment of the European Defence Fund is an unprecedented acceleration in the militarization of the EU and only serves one purpose: sustaining the competitiveness of the arms industry. The … Read More