Joint statement of the European Parliament and of the Council

(2023/C 260/01)

The European Parliament and the Council acknowledge the urgency of the need to help the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB) to ramp up production in the context of the challenges created by Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine, and recall that the Regulation on supporting ammunition production (ASAP) provides an immediate response to that urgent need by putting in place a new temporary instrument to facilitate industrial investments.

The European Parliament and the Council stress the need to consider all appropriate measures to strengthen and develop the EDTIB, including small and medium-sized enterprises, and to remove obstacles and bottlenecks so as to allow the industry to produce more along the value chains.

The European Parliament and the Council therefore call on the Commission to consider, as appropriate, putting forward as soon as possible any further initiatives necessary to strengthen the EDTIB, including adequate financing, for instance in the context of the European Defence Investment Programme, as well as a legal framework aimed at ensuring security of supply and supporting ammunition production.

The European Parliament and the Council agree to examine any such initiatives without delay and in a spirit of mutual sincere cooperation.