In Finland, we understand the threat posed by Russia. Europe must be capable of defending itself and providing sustained support to Ukraine. We cannot build our security on the assumption that others will take care of it for us.
Security requires a strong economy, a functioning democracy and the ability to defend our freedoms. It also requires industry, energy and technology that we can rely on in times of crisis. That is why defence, economic, energy and technology policies are closely interconnected in my work.
NATO is the cornerstone of our defence. The EU’s role is to strengthen NATO’s capabilities and those of its Member States by supporting defence industry production and investment, facilitating joint procurement and securing the necessary infrastructure.
Europe’s defence capabilities are built on production lines, in research institutions and within businesses. Increasing defence spending alone is not enough if investment, production and the adoption of new technologies are held back by administrative bottlenecks.
I served as the lead negotiator for the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy on the Defence Omnibus simplification package. Parliament approved the negotiated agreement in September 2026. This marked a concrete step towards simplifying regulation and strengthening the European defence industry.
During the negotiations, I pushed for funding to be directed towards high-quality projects, for the needs of Member States facing military threats to be taken into account, and for businesses’ technology and trade secrets to be protected. Defence funding must translate into operational defence capabilities.
Defence cannot be financed without a successful economy. Europe needs growing businesses, private investment and functioning single and capital markets. These also create the conditions needed to develop and manufacture defence technologies.
The EU supports NATO and national defence through its own strengths: industrial policy, single market policy and investment policy. It must make it easier for businesses to access financing, cooperate across borders and move the materials and products needed for defence. Production also depends on reliable energy, transport and telecommunications infrastructure.
Finland has world-class expertise in defence and technology. I want our businesses to be able to participate in European projects and expand their production.
Defence and the functioning of society depend on data, software, cloud services and secure communications. Critical systems must not be built in ways that allow an external provider to prevent their use at will.
I am championing the adoption of European technological alternatives, open standards and the ability to switch service providers. Europe must have sufficient expertise of its own and control over its critical infrastructure. At the same time, we must strengthen cybersecurity and crisis preparedness.
Technology choices are also choices about values. People’s privacy, confidential communications and freedom of expression must be protected. Digital security must strengthen an open society and people’s rights.
Energy security is fundamental to both national security and industrial competitiveness. Europe must move away from Russian fossil fuels and reduce its wider dependence on imported fossil energy. We must not replace one dangerous dependency with another.
I support developing renewable energy and nuclear power alongside each other. Nuclear power must be treated on an equal footing with other clean energy solutions at EU level. The development and deployment of small modular reactors must also be allowed to progress.
Affordable clean energy, strong electricity grids and protected infrastructure enable industrial investment and keep society functioning. Advancing climate goals and strengthening energy self-sufficiency support the same objective.
Defending Europe is also about the kind of society we want to live in. We defend democracy, the rule of law, freedom of expression and people’s right to determine their own future.
These principles must also be upheld within the European Union. Breaches of common rules must be addressed consistently, and the EU must be able to implement decisions agreed collectively. Trust in institutions and a functioning democracy strengthen society’s ability to withstand external pressure and crises.
As the lead negotiator for the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, I helped steer the defence industry regulatory reform through to Parliament’s approval in September 2026. During the negotiations, I advocated prioritising project quality, addressing Member States’ genuine security needs and protecting businesses’ expertise and intellectual property.
In the InvestEU reform, I worked to strengthen investment financing and reduce reporting requirements. I have also called for nuclear power to be treated equally alongside other clean technologies and highlighted the links between digital security, freedom of expression and people’s rights in parliamentary debates.
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