Vigenin: EP approves faster procedures in defence, but with high labour and environmental standards

Today the European Parliament adopted the regulation on speeding up permits for defence readiness projects, for which Bulgarian MEP Kristian Vigenin is the rapporteur for the Group of the Socialists and Democrats. The new rules aim to make administrative procedures for strategic defence projects shorter and more predictable, while keeping the requirements for protecting the environment, health and safety. The regulation is part of the EU’s Defence Readiness Omnibus package.

Support from the Socialists in the EP

During the debate in Strasbourg, the MEP confirmed that the Socialists in the EP support the regulation’s goal of speeding up permits for defence readiness projects. “Europe is investing more in defence, and we need to turn these investments into real capabilities, and into the infrastructure that supports them, more quickly,” Vigenin underlined.

Speed cannot come at the expense of safety

He made it clear, however, that speed cannot come at the expense of safety. “We worked to make sure that shorter deadlines will not mean lower environmental or labour standards and will not lead to risks to people’s health and lives. Procedures must be faster, but the quality of the assessment of projects must stay the same,” the MEP said.

Vigenin stressed that a stronger European defence should make the continent a safer place, while preserving its social model, public health and democratic values.

The same efficiency in other sectors

“And if Europe can make procedures faster and more predictable in defence, we should aim for the same efficiency in other strategic areas as well: healthcare, water, transport and critical infrastructure,” the MEP said in the plenary. In his view, s ecurity has many dimensions: “It means being able to defend European territory, but also having strong societies, resilient infrastructure and the capacity to protect people when crises happen. Defence readiness and the resilience of society must go hand in hand. “

In conclusion, Vigenin called on governments to move on to implementing the new legislation.