EPP Defence Ministers Discuss Strategic Priorities Ahead of Foreign Affairs Council (Defence)

13. May 2026
Defence Ministers from the European People’s Party (EPP) convened in Brussels this morning to coordinate positions ahead of the upcoming Foreign Affairs Council (Defence). The meeting was co-chaired by Pål Jonson, Minister of Defence of Sweden. Andrius Kubilius, European Commissioner for Defence and Space and Manfred Weber, EPP President, also attended the meeting.
The ministers discussed continued EU support for Ukraine and underscored the importance of further integrating Ukraine into Europe’s defence architecture. They highlighted the need to move beyond a solely support-based approach towards building a long-term strategic partnership with Ukraine.
The discussion also focused on strengthening Europe’s defence readiness and preparedness, scaling up defence capabilities, addressing existing capability gaps, and adapting European defence strategies to today’s evolving security environment.
In addition, ministers addressed the Mutual Defence Clause under Article 42.7 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU). EPP President Manfred Weber emphasised the priority the party attaches to this issue and called for the development of a concrete vision for the operationalisation of the clause.



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