Source: European Parliament
The discussions at the Summit in Paris on 17 February 2025 covered Europe’s defence and security, including the need to strengthen the European defence technological and industrial base. In addition, participants emphasised the need to step up the overall support to Ukraine, and to maintain economic pressure on Russia, including through sanctions.
The President of the Commission is responsible for ensuring the external representation of the EU when matters fall outside the scope of the common foreign and security policy and relate to other EU policy fields[1].
The President of the Commission is therefore responsible for ensuring the external representation of the EU with regards to various work strands of support to Ukraine, including, among others, financial assistance and humanitarian support. Furthermore, matters related to the EU’s defence industry also fall within the scope of competences of the Commission, which plays a crucial role in assisting Member States to boost their defence industries — a prerequisite for any militarily capable and well-equipped Europe.
The invitation to participate underscores the Commission’s distinct and important role in these discussions.
- [1] Article 17(1) of the Treaty on European Union , https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/treaty/teu_2012/oj/eng.