Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Next week, the European Commission will propose giving governments more flexibility in defence procurement and making it easier for them to access European funding, according to European Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius, who made the announcement on Tuesday.
Recently, the European Commission proposed that each EU government could increase defence spending by 1.5% of gross domestic product annually over four years without facing the usual disciplinary measures that typically apply when a government’s deficit exceeds 3% of GDP.
According to EU terminology, the move would involve the “coordinated triggering of national escape clauses”. It would fall well within the flexibility allowed by the bloc’s fiscal rules, which are meant to support the euro currency by controlling government borrowing.
Why is flexibility crucial for EU defence readiness?
“Without this simplification, nothing else in defence readiness will be possible to achieve,”
Kubilius told a conference in Belgium.
“Putin will not wait for us to get our paperwork in order,”
He also said.
Europe’s defence industry has voiced concerns about EU red tape and delays in accessing funds. The proposal, due to be presented on 17 June, will aim to tackle some of these issues.
Will defence funds be easier for states to access?
“We intend to give more flexibility to member states in common procurements, more flexibility on framework agreements, and we intend to facilitate innovation procurement,”
He said, adding that the Commission also wants to make access to the bloc’s defence fund “easier”.
According to the commissioner, it’s also crucial to examine other rules affecting defence, including permits, reporting requirements, competition rules, and sustainable finance. Kubilius stated that the Commission will propose simplifying directives on defence procurement and intra-EU transfers of defence materials.
Can Europe meet its €800 billion defence target soon?
Meanwhile, new plans from the European Union to boost defence spending could mobilise up to 800 billion euros, according to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who made the announcement in March.
“Europe is ready to massively boost its defence spending. Both, to respond to the short-term urgency to act and to support Ukraine but also to address the long-term need to take on much more responsibility for our own European security,” she said in a press statement.
