As regards Ukraine, lawmakers called for NATO to intensify support for Ukraine and to adopt a strategic approach to counter a growing Russian threat to Allied security and global stability. They also stressed the need to counter growing cooperation between autocratic regimes like China, Iran and North Korea and urged NATO to maintain the Alliance’s technological edge while addressing legal, ethical and operational challenges. Other topics high on the agenda were among others the geostrategic concerns in the Indo-Pacific or security challenges in the Western Balkans.
The Chair of the EP delegation, MEP Salvatore De Meo stressed during the session:
“Today, in Montréal–a city that embodies the vision of Lester Pearson and the spirit of NATO’s Article 2–we reaffirm that NATO is, above all, a security alliance of democracies, rooted in shared values and a commitment to collective defence. This commitment should not be confined solely to the military dimension but must also include the sharing of political and economic bonds. The EU and NATO share common values and principles that together strengthen the European pillar within the Alliance. This partnership is not just strategic but essential.As Chair of the EP delegation, I emphasised the critical role that our Parliament can play in fostering dialogue among allies and with partner countries. The motto “United in diversity” represents the true strength of the European Union, and it applies also to NATO. Differing political perspectives, sensitivities, or electoral outcomes in allied countries must not obstruct the process of cooperation and unity, which remains the only viable path to ensuring peace and prosperity. In these critical times, strengthening Europe is paramount in order to address the challenges we face, including the support for Ukraine and the resilience of our democracies.”
The following MEPs participated in the session:• Salvatore DE MEO (EPP, IT), Chair• Michal SZCZERBA (EPP, PL)• Wouter BEKE (EPP, BE)• Riho TERRAS (EPP, EST)• Tobias CREMER (S&D, DE)• Eero HEINÄLUOMA (S&D, FI)• Pierre-Romain THIONNET (PfP, FR)• Arkadiusz MULARCZYK (ECR, PL)• Marie-Agnes STRACK-ZIMMERMANN (Renew, DE)• Mārtiņš STAĶIS (Greens, LV)