Answer given by Mr Kubilius on behalf of the European Commission

12.12.2025

In accordance with Article 23(4) of the European Defence Fund (EDF) Regulation[1], the Commission shall assess whether a transfer of ownership to a non-associated third country or non-associated third country entity contravenes the security and defence interests of the EU and its Member States, or the objectives set out in Article 3 of the EDF Regulation. Where such a transfer of ownership contravenes the security and defence interests, the support provided from the Fund shall be reimbursed.

The Commission has in place a mechanism to assess whether a transfer of ownership to a non-associated third country or non-associated third country entity contravenes the security and defence interests of the EU and its Member States, or the objectives set out in Article 3 of the EDF Regulation.

Notifications made under Article 23(4) of the EDF Regulation are not meant to be public. Neither is the reply of the Commission to the entity notifying the transfer of ownership. A request for information from a third party on the existence of notifications cannot result in such notifications made public without the consent of the recipient of the EU funding.

• [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/697/oj/eng.