Topics related to defense belonged to the main topics of the last summit organized during the Polish Presidency in the EU Council. Discussions focused, among others on the implementation of previous arrangements regarding “decisive increase in “defense readiness of Europe over the next five years.
EU leaders announced that the next steps in this matter will be discussed at the next peak in October. Until then, they expect a detailed road map from the European Commission, which will show you how to achieve the purpose of achieving full defense readiness by 2030 – the date indicated as the moment to which Europe should be prepared for a potential attack from Russia.
During the meeting, the need to continue to increase defense expenditure was also emphasized-as agreed by the NATO summit of June 24-25, at which a new target was adopted 5 percent. GDP.
In this context, the progress made during the Polish Presidency was appreciated in accepting financial instruments supporting the European defense industry – the EU source said. In particular, the approval of the SAFE instrument, providing for EUR 150 billion in defense loans, as well as the adoption of a common position of Member States regarding the EDIP financing program worth EUR 1.5 billion.
In conclusions from the summit, EU leaders also emphasized the need to mobilize private funds, take into account defensive challenges in cohesion policy and called the European Investment Bank to review the so -called Excluded Activities to enable wider support for arms projects.
During the summit, it was discussed on how to ensure that increased defense expenditure would translate into real benefits for the industry and strengthen Europe's competitiveness, including by supporting innovation and research.
In conclusions, the so -called The “Omnibus” package regarding defense – a set of legislative simplifications for the defense sector, presented by the European Commission in mid -June. His goal is, among others Acceleration of procedures for obtaining permits for the construction of new production plants. The EC's proposal must still accept member states and the European Parliament.
The end conclusions included a separate point regarding the protection of the external borders of the Union. The eastern border was listed here – “due to the threat of Russia and Belarus.”
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Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and the leaders of the Baltic States appealed for support for projects for projects.
Leaders also emphasized the importance of cooperation with “similarly thinking partners” who have goals in common with the EU in the area of defense and foreign policy. In recent months, the community has concluded partnerships for security and defense with eight countries, including Great Britain and Canada. They open the possibility of participating in joint defense orders, also under SAFE.
