In the capital of Lativa, Riga, the President of the European Parliament applauded Europe’s increasing defence expenditure to strengthen Europe’s security, however she also appealed for more integrated efforts in defence spending to increase efficiency and cut costs. She added that the European parliament is working on legislation to incentivise economies of scale that will also help European defence industries.
The European Parliament is also working to simplify rules on European defence legislation and encourage joint-procurement.
The President of the European Parliament was speaking at the annual Riga Conference held by the Latvian Transatlantic Organization that focuses mainly on the security of the Baltic region. President Metsola described the Baltic states as “living on the edge of freedom” and said that Europe was mistaken in failing to heed their warnings about Russia. She also congratulated Latvia for taking a chair at the United Nations Security Council for the first time.
The President of the European Parliament said that NATO will also be the backbone of our territorial defence, however further cooperation with other states such as Canada the UK are also empowering European security.
Separately, in a press conference with the Prime Minister with Latvia’s Prime Minister Evika Silina, the President Metsola said that Europe’s security is no longer taken for granted and appealed Europe to address Russia’s hybrid threat. President Metsola also applauded efforts to end European purchases of Russian oil and gas stating that theseย efforts are contributing to Ukraine’s war effort.
On Ukraine, the President of the European Parliament warned against war fatigue and stressed that Europe must not waver in its support for the country. She concluded her speech at the conference by highlighting the urgent need to invest in European defence, describing it as a โwhatever it takesโ moment.
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