April 21, 2025

Athens News

News in English from Greece

Türkiye is excluded from the Unified EU Defense Fund after coordinated efforts of Greece


Türkiye is excluded from the total defense fund of 150+650 billion euros by decision of the European Commission. This A significant victory after pressure from the side Athens.

Thus “White paper” does not include Turkey, which means that after a long time Greece has achieved significant successAnd this happened thanks to coordinated effortswho brought a positive result.

The Greek government noted in Non-Paper (unofficial document), by which it informed the European commission that Türkiye did not sign a security agreement and defense with EUTherefore, he cannot participate in this package.

From the Greek side it is Big victorysince the position is confirmed that Türkiye should refrain from 800 billion euros, since even part of this package will significantly increase the development Dronov And shipyard.

For the first time, examples were also given from the defense industry about risks associated with the possible strengthening of Turkish defense companies. France showed attention To the Greek request, since it does not want to further strengthen the Turkish industry.

The documents published by the commission notes that the condition for participation in the new financial instrument, which is called Safe (Security and Defense Fund), there will be signing “Partnership Agreements on Security and Defense with the European Union”.

Although the details of the new fund have not yet been finalized and will be discussed at the level of leaders in the near future, the documents of the commission say that thanks to Safe, “Member states will be able to immediately and massively increase their defense investments through joint purchases from the European defense industry”. This indicates that the French position on the priority of European weapons gaining popularity.

Brussels offer for 27 member states suggests that at least 65% expenses should be carried out within the EU, Norway and Ukraine. The remaining funds can be aimed at purchases from third countries, which, however, should sign security and defense agreements.

It remains to find out how the conditions for participation in Safe at the following stages of negotiations, given that according to existing rules, they are also excluded United Kingdom And United Statesalthough some American weapons, such as the air defense system Patriotexcluded.

The EU began relevant discussions with London. However, consultations are delayed due to the requirements to sign a wider cooperation agreement that would cover and “Sharp Issues”remaining unresolved after Brexitsuch as the provision of fishing rights and migration management.

The total increase in defense expenses for 800 billion euros Over the next four years, it is the basis of the proposal that the commission is preparing to finance general European defense and security.

Chairman of the European Commission Ursula von der Layen I introduced two key points for its proposal, leaving a lot of questions without answers. The first thing she clarified is what she will offer Defense Fund With initial capital 150 billion euros. This amount will probably be attracted in the markets as a total debt. The new fund will become “Bank”who will lend to member states for investment in defense, as is being done now with The recovery fund.

The attempt will be financed from the total resource 800 billion euros. Except 150 billion euroswhich will be initial capital for the new European defense fund, the rest 650 billion euros will be obtained by increasing defense expenses that member states will be carried out over the next four years, while also will be activated European investment bank (EIB) in relation to lending for defense investments.

This means that within the framework of the conditions established by the revised package of stability in debts and deficiency, it will be valid output provision for defense expenses for the period 2025-2028 in accordance with “White Book” On a common European defense published by the European Commission.

In particular, with regard to flexibility in the calculation of defense spending, the text of the commission clarifies that such flexibility will be ensured through output provisionsthat member states will have to request until the end of April.

The validity period will be four -year, for 2025-2028 years, and may be extended if, at the proposal of the commission, it is decided that it is necessary to do more in the field of general defense. It is also clarified that the basis for calculating the increase in expenses that will be excluded from the deficit will be defense expenses incurred by member states in 2021 year.

The limit of increasing defense costs, which will not be taken into account, will be 1.5% From GDP for each member state. The increase in defense expenses above this limit will not be subject to the publication and will obey the existing financial rules. It is also clarified that due to the special nature of defense expenses in the provision on the output, defense expenses will be taken into account when signing a contract for the supply of defense material, and not upon subsequent receipt and payment of the material by the member state.

It is expected that 27 heads of state and government of the EU will discuss the issue of European defense at European Councilwhich will be held on Thursday and Friday, March 20 and 21.





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