Opinion on the financing of European defence initiatives adopted - 28.3.23

03-04-2023 - 15:10
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Given the need to support in a timely and targeted manner the Member States for reinforcing their defence capacities, the European Commission proposed to incentivise common procurement via the EU budget through a dedicated Short Term Instrument establishing the European Defence industry Reinforcement through Common Procurement Act (EDIRPA).

The financial envelope for the implementation of the Instrument for the period from 2022 to 2024 is proposed to be EUR 500 million, drawn from the unallocated margins under the MFF ceilings and mobilised through the non-thematic MFF special instruments.

The BUDG Committee voted on the opinion which focuses on the Instrument's financial provisions. The Rapporteur welcomed the fact that this additional Instrument is financed from fresh resources. He considered positively the fact of incentivising Member States through the EU budget to stimulate a cooperative defence procurement process.