Posting on the imminent integration of Greece into EU SAFE mechanism The Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, did, stressing that “the defense and security of the homeland is a national affair”.
“For this reason, our government continues to enhance the deterrent power and operational capacity of the Armed Forces with Plan, seriousness and strategic responsibility“, The prime minister points out and stresses:
‘We make the most of the available European Support Tools – Forms for the formation of which we played. As for the activation of the national escape clause to strengthen defense, which ensures us fiscal space that will be fully utilized for the implementation of the long -term defense equipment program.
Our homeland, in the context of Rearm Europe program, will participate in the new financial mechanism EU Safe. Tomorrow we formally deposit our proposal for integration into the Safe, claiming low -profile loans at least 1.2 billion euros To strengthen our national defense and the Greek defense industry.
OR We join Safe enhances an already dynamic planning in the context of the long -term defense program (BAE), which, while already stood at € 28.8 billion, is now increasing to € 30 billion for the period 2025-2036. The expansion of the equipment program reinforces the Greek defense and technological industry, creates significant opportunities for investment, productive partnerships and new jobs, increases the added domestic value and leads to greater national autonomy.
Greece is actively involved in Configuration of European Defense and Security Policy. This is just the beginning. My position remains that Europe should jump more ambitious and faster than wear. And that it must create a European Investment Fund for critical strategic utilities, such as the development of a single European missile shield. “
‘We invest in national defense because we invest in safety, stability and future of our homeland. And in a strategically autonomous and geopolitical mature Europe, “the prime minister concludes.
Safe is a new EU financial instrument that will support those member states wishing to invest in defense industrial production through common supplies, focusing on priority opportunities.
Safe will fund urgent and large -scale Investments in European Defense Technological and Industry (EDTIB). The aim is to enhance production capacity, to ensure that defensive equipment is available when needed and to deal with existing capacity gaps – ultimately enhancing the EU’s overall defense readiness.
In addition, Safe will allow the EU to further support Ukraine by linking its defensive industry from the outset.
Through Safe, the EU will provide up to 150 billion EUR that will be disbursed in interested Member States upon request and based on national plans. Disbursements will take the form of long -term loans at competitive prices, which will be repaid by the beneficiary Member States.
In order to ensure economies of scale and interoperability and reduce the potential fragmentation of EDTB, the beneficiary Member States must, in principle, make common supplies involving at least two participating countries to meet the conditions for loans.
In response to the current geopolitical situation and the urgent need for mass investment in defense equipment, SAFE will also allow supplies that relate only one Member State for a limited period of time.
The Safe opens kai new chapter in collaboration with third countries. Ukraine and the countries of European Economic Area-European Free Transaction Zone (EEA-EMA) will be treated under the same terms as Member States. Not only will they be able to participate in common commissions, but they will also be able to They buy from their industries.
Safe will also allow the countries, candidate countries, potential candidates and countries that have signed corporate security and defense relations with the EU, such as the United Kingdom, participate in common commissions.
In addition, SAFE offers the ability to conclude Additional bilateral or polymer agreement With these third states, under which eligibility conditions could be opened.
The Eligible activities funded through Safe will be related to the first list of priority areas identified by the European Council on March 6, 2025 and will be divided into Two categories of defense products:
- ammunition and rockets, artillery systems, including deep precision impact, terrestrial combat capabilities and support systems, including soldiers and infantry weapons, vital infrastructure protection, military mobility
- Air and missile defense systems, maritime surface and underwater capabilities, drones and anti-Drone systems, strategic capabilities such as strategic air transport, air-to-air refueling and C4istar systems, as well as space and services, protection of space.
Defensive products belonging to Category 2 will be subject to stricter terms of eligibilityrequiring the contractors to be able to decide on the definition, adaptation and evolution of the design of the defense product it supplies.
For both product categories, procurement contracts should ensure that the cost of originating outside the EU, EEA-Hezes and Ukraine States does not exceed 35% of the estimated cost of the components of the finished product.
The EU is committed to further strengthening and deepening transatlantic cooperation and commitment to security and defense, as well as complementarity with NATO. In this context, Safe will try to enhance interoperability, continue industrial cooperation and ensure mutual access to cutting -edge technologies with reliable partners.
Source: Skai
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