Romania receives European support for defense projects: 16.68 billion euros through the SAFE mechanism
Romania takes an important step in preparing the projects that will be financed by the European Security Action for Europe (SAFE) mechanism. At the Victoria Palace there was a new working meeting with experts of the European Commission, in which it was discussed about the major projects of defense, infrastructure and regional cooperation. Our country will benefit from a loan of 16.68 billion euros, being the second in the European Union as the value of the funds available through this program.
Romania receives European support for projects in the Safe PHOTO program: Gov.ro
The working meeting was coordinated by the chief of the Prime Minister's Chancellery, Mihai Jurca, and brought together experts of the European Commission, along with representatives of the ministries and institutions involved in the preparation of the National project portfolio.
Romania is among the 19 Member States interested in the SAFE mechanism, a program of the European Union totaling 150 billion euros, granted in the form of loans by 2030.
“The support of the European Commission is extremely important to finalize the list of projects of Romania, as well as common acquisitions with other states, interoperability and reduction of delivery times, by increasing production capacities. We focus on the development of the Romanian defense industry and integration into the value chains in Europe.”said Mihai Jurca, according to a statement.
The official also emphasized the importance of investments in infrastructure and civil defense: “Our interest is related to the realization of the Pascani-Ungheni-Pașcani-Siret highway sectors, as well as the increase of military and civil defense capabilities.”.
Visits to the Bucharest Mechanical Plant and the Air Base MAI
After the consultations at the Victoria Palace, the European delegation and representatives of the Romanian Government made two working visits.
The first objective was the Bucharest Mechanical Plant, where Piranha armored carriers are produced – one of the bases that Romania aims to develop projects through the Safe program.
The second was the air basis of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which brings together components with civil and military use essential for public order structures.
Strategic goals: industry, drones and regional cooperation
Through the Safe program, Romania aims to equip the national defense and security structures with modern equipment and to integrate the defense industry into the European value chains.
Another priority objective is the location of the production in Romania, so that the local companies become part of the supply chains in the European Defense Industry.
Also, Romania wants the development of capabilities in the field of air and maritime drones, in partnership with Ukraine. “Cooperation with Ukraine, whose expertise in this field is extremely valuable, and with all the eastern flank, from Finland to Bulgaria, is mandatory to create a detection system and a wall of defense against drones. “said Mihai Jurca.
The representatives of the European Commission have expressed their support for the initiative of Romania to coordinate the detection and interception of drones at the level of the Eastern flank, so that they function as a unitary mechanism and constitute the first line of protection for the rest of Europe.
Participants in the meeting
At the meeting at the Victoria Palace were present, from the European Commission, Herald Ruijters, Deputy General Manager in DG Defis and Coordinator Safe, Fabio Liberti, Deputy Director of the Safe Implementation Directorate, Marta Sadel and Alina Elena Manea, experts within the same direction.
From Romania, Mihai Jurca, the head of the Prime Minister's Chancellery, Radu Miruță, the Minister of Economy, as well as representatives of the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Justice and the National Security structures.
