North Macedonia joins EU defense deals club with SAFE access

Third countries who have signed a defense and partnership agreement with the European Union can participate in defense procurements through the European Union’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument, said the European Commission’s spokesperson on tech sovereignty, defense, space and research, Thomas Regnier, in answer to a journalist’s question.

The third countries who can participate in joint procurements, according to the spokesperson, are Norway, Moldova, South Korea, Japan, Albania, and North Macedonia, CE Report quotes MIA.

The countries will be able to participate in joint procurements through the SAFE instrument alongside members of the European Union, the European Free Trade Association, and Ukraine.

North Macedonia signed a defense and partnership agreement with the European Union in November 2024, becoming the first country in the Western Balkans to sign such a treaty with the EU.

The EU’s SAFE instrument is a fund of EUR 150 billion intended for investments in Europe’s defense capacities.