For vice-chair of parliament's security and defence (SEDE) subcommittee Christian Ehler, the European parliament will "continue to play an important role in shaping the common security and defence policy (CSDP)".
The German MEP underlines the work of SEDE in "making sure that European security is prepared to take on current and future challenges", adding, "As present-day crises and security threats can rarely be considered as being purely military or civilian, effective responses need to be able to draw on both capabilities."
"The conflict zones in our direct neighbourhood, as well as the disturbing developments in the Middle East require a strong political vision and commitment. We will continue to highlight that the EU offers a distinct contribution to global security, reflecting its core values and principles"
The EPP deputy, who has been an MEP since 2004, says the committee "will continue to play a key role in determining the framework of the European CSDP, as well as giving incentives to policy solutions on the most pressing issues in an ever more challenging international environment".
"The conflict zones in our direct neighbourhood, as well as the disturbing developments in the Middle East require a strong political vision and commitment. We will continue to highlight that the EU offers a distinct contribution to global security, reflecting its core values and principles."
Ehler also points to the commitments made by member states at the December 2013 council, stressing that the committee would follow up on these "very closely" while making every effort to "strengthen EU structures" and tackle "national egotism, particularly when it comes to funding civilian and military operations".
He also calls for the EU to "look further into developing dual-use capabilities for CSDP civilian missions and military operations". Ehler pledges to press EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini to "address the shortage of staff on civilian mission planning and capability development and to facilitate the financing of CSDP missions in order to solve the most pressing issues on the ground".
Ehler highlights the importance of cooperation within the EU and between its international partners and stakeholders, stressing that the "main concern will continue to be the avoidance of double structures and incoherent policies".
"SEDE," he concludes, "will pursue close cooperation with the member states, the high representative, the commission, the European defence agency, the EU network and information security agency and Europol in order to ensure a comprehensive and effective approach to implement the EU's security policies."
Christian Ehler is a vice-chair of parliament's security and defence subcommittee