20
May
2026
Watch
EU–Canada Agreement laying down the conditions for the participation of Canadian legal entities and products originating in Canada to procurement under the SAFE Instrument (A10-0144/2026 - Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Borys Budka) (vote)
Madam President, Dear colleagues! We need to significantly expand cooperation in the European defence industry, strengthen joint procurement and ramp up and promote European production. Like we did in the trilogue yesterday. Defence Omnibus Unfortunately, the problem is still a big one: Not only is the Council too slow, but it is annoying that the Council is seeking EU ‑ legislation that amounts to each country taking its decisions at national level, applying its own procedures, respecting its own exceptions. This is deeply unEuropean! Ladies and gentlemen, European strength must not be foreclosed. We should be open to working with reliable partners who share our values, our security interests. We have reached a fair agreement with Canada. Canada can participate in SAFE-funded procurement projects under clear conditions and makes a financial contribution to this. This is also a good template for future cooperation with other partners. Canada is one of the most European countries outside Europe, a close ally, a reliable partner and since the beginning of the brutal war of aggression against Ukraine on the side of Ukraine. That's why this collaboration is a win-win for all of us. I would like to thank everyone for the good and constructive cooperation and ask more than ever for your approval, especially since there is currently unrest on this side of the House.