SAFE not only for EU countries? Türkiye and South Korea are also willing. and Japan

European Commission spokesman Thomas Regnier said on Friday that Türkiye, South Korea and Japan had expressed interest in joining the SAFE program. Applications for EU funds for armament were submitted by 19 Member States, including Poland.

SAFE allows partnerships with third countries. The European Commission has already held bilateral negotiations with Canada and the UK; the former were successful in early December, the latter are still pending. As the EC spokesman said on Friday at a press conference, Türkiye, South Korea, and recently also Japan have expressed their willingness to start negotiations on SAFE. – The EC will look into these requests – assured Regnier, adding that even without an agreement, third countries can still participate in up to 35 percent. public procurement under SAFE.

The Ombudsman recalled that by the end of November, 19 Member States had submitted applications for funds from the SAFE program and they are currently being analyzed. He also confirmed that the countries had requested 25%. more funds, i.e. approximately EUR 40 billion more than the program provides for. This was also admitted on Thursday in an interview with the Politico website by the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who said that SAFE is one of the most effective defense instruments. She also added that some member states are already asking whether there will be a second version of the program, i.e. SAFE 2.

The SAFE Instrument is a program that aims to strengthen the defense of EU Member States; provides for a total of EUR 150 billion of support in the form of, among others: low-interest loans, primarily for the purchase of military equipment, especially those manufactured in Europe. Poland hopes to receive EUR 43.7 billion, or nearly PLN 190 billion; 89 percent EU funds will be invested in the domestic arms industry.

From Brussels Jowita Kiwnik Pargana (PAP)

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