mseap

NEWS

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SUBJECT Europe's political tug-of-war over the European Defence Fund
DATE 2018-02-02
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A political battle is brewing between the European Parliament (EP) and the Council of Ministers over the scope and funding of the capability window of the European Union’s proposed European Defence Fund (EDF).

 

 

“It is the most basic and universal of rights to feel safe and secure in your own home,” remarked EU President Jean-Claude Juncker last June. “Our Union should provide that for Europeans,” he said.

 

 

Security and defense threats do not respect national borders. Countries surmount them by working together.

 

 

Cover of the European Defence Fund white paper (Photo: EDF White Paper)
 

 

The ambitious EDF was expected to promote cooperation and cost savings among Member States of the EU to foster the development of cutting-edge defense equipment and technology.

 

 

Now the EP wants wider multination participation in the projects the window will finance, which is a position the Council opposes.

 

 

A battle over how to fund the window’s proposed launch budget of 500 million euros ($621 million) for 2019-2020 also looms.

 

 

The EP’s goal is to have the Fund act as a catalyst for various R&D projects, with Member States contributing 80% and the EU budget co-financing up to 20%.

 

 

“Sparks lie ahead,” reported the press on Thursday, referring to the final-stage negotiations that take place between the EP and the Council when there are differences between them over a legislative proposal.

 

 

By MSEAP Cyber Secretariat (mseap@assembly.go.kr)