Politics

EU: funds for security and defence from the multiannual financial framework. Mogherini, “targeted funds in support of peace”

(Strasbourg) “In the last two years, the European Union has taken unprecedented measures in support of security and defence. Now, we can support research and cooperation to upgrade our defence capabilities. We are taking measures that will make it easier to quickly mobilise the member states’ forces in Europe. I also propose that a European peace instrument be established to improve the funding of European military operations and support our partners’ initiatives”. Federica Mogherini, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, describes the proposal that has been submitted by the European Commission today about defence, in connection with the next multiannual financial framework for 2021-2027. A 13 billion euros’ European defence fund should provide “the requisite financial resources to make cross-border investments in cutting-edge, fully interoperable technology and materials in such areas as encryption software and drone technology”. The budget for peace, which has been allocated 10.5 billion euros outside of the EU’s multiannual financial framework, should “help improve the European Union’s ability to prevent conflict, build peace, and protect international security”.