The ministers of defense and finance and the EU commissioners for budget and defense signed the SAFE loan agreement on Friday in Warsaw. The agreement allows Poland to receive up to €43.7 billion for defense in the form of low-interest loans.
— The signing of the SAFE loan agreement is a positive step for Poland and Europe. It also leaves open the possibility of cooperation between arms companies from Poland, the US and Ukraine, Atlantic Council analyst Andrew D'Anieri said on Friday.
The Atlantic Council is an American think tank dealing with international security, foreign policy, economy and transatlantic relations. The institution cooperates with politicians, experts and business representatives, preparing analyzes and recommendations regarding, among others: NATO, Europe, Russia and the global economy.
The expert emphasized that the agreement was signed at a time when Europe is striving to “revitalize its defense capabilities, hoping to deter Russia from further aggression” on the continent.
– I think this type of spending, especially in a rapidly industrializing and growing (economically – editor's note) country like Poland, which has a long border with Belarus, which is basically Russia, is very positive – said D'Anieri.
The SAFE Agreement and Poland's cooperation with the USA
He added that The administration of US President Donald Trump has been pressuring Europe to cover its own defense costs for years. Signing the SAFE agreement is an example of such action.
D'Anieri recalled that under the program, 65 percent funds must be spent in Europe. — It is possible that the United States would prefer that Poland also buys American systems. But I think this leaves open the possibility, chance and even necessity of joint production, joint ventures and partnerships between Polish and American companies, as well as Ukrainian ones, he said.
He assessed this as positive for defense integration and interoperability within NATO.
