In a statement, the MEPs of ruling Fidesz have announced that they are backing the European defense industry reinforcement through the common procurement act (EDIRPA), because “strengthening the European defense industry is in our fundamental interest”.
The statement, published after an EP discussion on the report on setting up the facility, said: “The new facility is key to strengthening European defense industry and capacity, weakened by failed leftist-liberal policies, and so our group supports the initiative.” Group leader Kinga Gál said the Ukrainian war had highlighted that strengthening European defense industry and infrastructure was long overdue. That is in Europe’s fundamental interest, she said. “The European Union can only face escalating security challenges with globally competitive defense and military capabilities,” Gál said. The facility will offer an opportunity to improve responsiveness and production capacities through the cooperation of member states, she said. “All that is key to lasting peace and long-term stability.” MEP András Gyürk said the new facility could create value-added when the European defense industry was “brought back on its feet”. “The war in a neighbouring country has shown the strategic failure of the leftist-liberal defense policy aimed at dismantling the defense industry. To ensure the security of EU citizens, the most critical deficiencies of the defense industry should be addressed at lightning speed. That warrants the cooperation of European countries as well as strong national defense industry programs, and the facility can contribute to that. Besides, the new act may help defense investments in central Europe and in Hungary,” he said.
Photo credit: fidesz-eu.hu