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Press material Friday, 10 April 2026

● Council of the EU   10/04/2026 12:01 | Press release | SAFE: final green light for financial assistance to Czechia and France   The Council today adopted implementing decisions making financial assistance under SAFE available to two more EU member states: Czechia and France. SAFE is an EU financial instrument supporting member states in investing in defence industrial production through common procurement of priority capabilities. Today’s decision follows two previous batches of Council implementing decisions concerning financial assistance to Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Spain, Croatia, Portugal, Romania on 11 February and Estonia, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Finland on 17 February. “With today’s decision, Czechia and France can now receive financial assistance under the SAFE instrument. Strengthening the Union’s defence readiness and strategic autonomy, by reducing dependencies and enhancing the EU’s capacity to respond effectively and proactively, is a Cyprus Presidency key priority. SAFE secures our Union’s future, by making sure that our defence industry is equipped to meet the challenges of tomorrow.” — Vasilis Palmas, Minister of Defence of Republic of Cyprus For Czechia, the Commission has allocated a maximum loan amount of €2.06 billion, which includes an initial pre-financing payment of €309 million, while France is set to receive a maximum loan amount of approximately €15.09 billion. Of this total, the pre-financing payment amounts to roughly €2.26 billion. The Council’s greenlight follows the European Commission’s positive assessment of the National Defence Investment Plans submitted by Czechia and France. With initial disbursements expected to reach the member states in the coming weeks, this financing enables the acquisition of modern equipment and the enhancement of defence readiness. Next steps Following the adoption of the implementing decisions, the Commission will conclude loan agreements with the member states concerned and proceed with the disbursement of the pre-financing payments. Background The SAFE regulation was adopted on 27 May 2025, as part of ‘Readiness 2030’, an ambitious defence package designed to provide EU member states with financial levers to drive a surge in defence investments. SAFE is an EU financial instrument supporting member states that wish to invest in defence industrial production through common procurement, focusing on priority capabilities. It will finance urgent and large-scale investments in the European defence technological and industrial base (EDTIB), with the aim of boosting production capacity, ensuring the timely availability of defence equipment, and addressing existing capability gaps. Ukraine and EFTA/EEA countries will be able to participate in common procurement under SAFE, and it will be possible to buy from their industries. The same applies to Canada, which has concluded an agreement under Article 17 of the SAFE regulation. Acceding countries, candidate countries, potential candidates and countries which have signed Security and Defence Partnerships with the EU may also take part in common procurement and contribute to aggregated demand. Following the adoption of SAFE, the Commission launched a call for expression of interest to receive financial assistance under the instrument, inviting member states to indicate minimum and maximum loan amounts. By 29 August 2025, 19 member states had expressed interest. On 28 November 2025, Czechia and France submitted their requests for financial assistance and the subsequent defence industry investment plans. The Commission approved the two national defence plans on 25 March 2026. This brings the total to 18 member states, following the two funding waves finalized earlier this year. SAFE: Council clears path for financial assistance to eight member states and concluding the Canada agreement, 11 February Council regulation establishing the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) through the Reinforcement of the European Defence Industry Instrument Common defence procurement (background information) Security and defence (background information) European defence industry (background information) Defence numbers (background information)   Visit the website

Press material Thursday, 09 April 2026

● Council of the EU   09/04/2026 22:55 | Press release | Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the ceasefire agreed by the United States and Iran   The EU welcomes the ceasefire agreed by the United States and Iran. We commend Pakistan and other regional partners for their mediation that contributed to this positive outcome.   We urge all involved to fully respect the ceasefire across the region, cease all military operations and fully ensure freedom of navigation as well as free and safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, in line with international law, as reflected in UNCLOS. We further call for an urgent cessation of hostilities in Lebanon, which take a heavy toll on civilians. All parties must comply with international humanitarian law and protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, UN peacekeepers and humanitarian personnel.   Diplomacy is key to resolve all outstanding issues. Parties should continue engaging in good faith in efforts to reach a sustainable agreement on all areas of concern.   Now is the time to design a comprehensive strategy for lasting peace across the entire Middle East.    The European Union will contribute to all diplomatic efforts in this endeavour, taking into consideration its full range of interests and concerns, in coordination with partners.   Visit the website