Carmelo Abela represented the Parliament of Malta at the Interparliamentary Committee Meeting on the Future of European Defence, held at the European Parliament in Brussels on 3–4 December 2025. Organised by the SEDE Committee with the Legislative Dialogue Unit, the meeting gathered MEPs, national parliamentarians and senior officials for an in-depth exchange on Europe’s security and defence priorities.
The conference opened with remarks by European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, followed by SEDE Chair Marie Agnes Strack Zimmermann, setting the tone for two days of discussion. The first panel, Preserving Peace through Strength, featured Commissioner Andrius Kubilius on strengthening Europe’s defence industry and readiness. A second panel, Preparing for the New Era of Warfare, included an intervention by Admiral Pierre Vandier, NATO Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, who outlined technological and operational shifts shaping modern conflict.
Addressing the meeting, Abela emphasised Malta’s constitutional position where “active neutrality remains central.” He argued that Europe must “not only invest more… but invest better,” stressing the need for strategic choices that reinforce Europe’s industrial capabilities. He noted the challenge of sustaining public support for defence spending while addressing social priorities such as poverty and exclusion, and underlined the enduring role of diplomacy in safeguarding peace.
The second day included panels on the EU’s role in NATO and Europe’s shifting geopolitical landscape. Abela recalled that not all EU members are part of NATO, stating that Malta supports a stronger EU defence that complements NATO while respecting constitutional realities. He also highlighted that, while current attention is on Eastern Europe, Mediterranean challenges must not be overlooked.
The conference concluded with debates contributing to a deeper parliamentary understanding of Europe’s evolving defence posture.
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