Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus is among 10 European Union member states that have submitted loan agreements to the European Commission for approval to receive funds under the EU’s €150 billion Security Action for Europe (Safe) programme, a commission spokesman said on Monday.
Loan agreements submitted for commission approval
European Commission spokesman Thomas Reiner confirmed that Cyprus has sent its loan agreement to the commission. Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia have also submitted their loan agreements for approval.
Reiner said the commission will now complete internal procedures with the aim of approving and signing the loan agreements as soon as possible, after which it will proceed with the first disbursements of funding. He said time is of the essence and that the commission will deliver on its commitments to all member states.
Poland’s timeline and expected advance payment
Reiner’s comments followed remarks by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Monday that his government is ready to sign its loan agreement, speaking on the sidelines of the European Political Community summit in Yerevan.
Poland has secured almost €44 billion under the scheme. Deputy Prime Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said on Monday that he expects the agreement to be signed in Warsaw on Friday, and that Poland would immediately receive an advance payment of €6.5 billion once it is signed.
Cyprus funding and defence plans
Cyprus secured over €1 billion through the programme. Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas previously said the funding would allow the National Guard to acquire military hardware to cover its priorities until 2030.
Palmas said the Safe programme was created at a time when the European Union’s needs to address shortcomings are significant, and when mobilising equipment and joint procurement programmes is becoming urgent. He said the €150 billion to be invested by member states in joint procurement of high-tech weapons systems is expected to trigger a new era for European defence, with the ultimate goal of autonomy, technological dominance, and resilience.
What do you think the Safe programme funding will mean for Cyprus’ defence planning through 2030?
