EU Adopts SAFE Regulation

EU Adopts SAFE Regulation

Politics

The European Council adopted the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) regulation on Tuesday, setting up a four-year financial programme rather than permanent third-country participation in EU armaments, CE Report quotes Athens-Macedonian

Diplomatic sources rejected claims that Greece could have blocked or significantly changed the regulation, emphasizing that adoption only needed a qualified majority—26 out of 27 EU members, including Cyprus, voted in favor.

Greece’s efforts did secure key legal bases for third-country involvement, ensuring any bilateral agreement requires unanimous approval under Article 212 TFEU. This point was confirmed by the European Commission and documented in the minutes of the 18 May COREPER II meeting.

Critics’ concerns that Greece’s national interests were overlooked were dismissed. Article 16 of the SAFE regulation ensures third-country eligibility must consider EU and member states' security and defence interests.

The Greek government stressed that foreign policy complexities require thorough, balanced analysis—not political simplifications.

Tags

Related articles

Grosu Meets Latvian, Swedish Officials in Geneva
Moldovan Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu held bilateral talks with top officials from Latvia and Sweden during the Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Geneva.
Greece Joins EU Defense Loan Program SAFE
Greece is among 18 EU member states that have applied for inclusion in the European Commission's new Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument, aimed at strengthening collective defense and resilience.
Coalition Submits Candidate List
The Central Electoral Commission (CEC) has received an application from the Coalition for Unity and Well-being to register a list of 53 parliamentary candidates for Moldova’s upcoming elections.
Grosu Joins Ukraine Solidarity Walkout
Moldovan Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu joined other parliamentary leaders in walking out of the Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Geneva when Russian Federation Speaker Valentina Matvienko began her speech.
Mitsotakis Hails Jobs Surge
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis welcomed a 25-year record high in new job positions, according to the latest ERGANI report, calling it a major milestone in tackling unemployment and inequality.
Moldova Warns of Russian Interference in Upcoming Elections
Moldovan President Maia Sandu has warned that Russia is preparing an unprecedented operation to interfere in the country’s parliamentary elections this autumn, aiming to take control through political proxies.
Parliament Debates Probe Into OPEKEPE Scandal
Greece’s Parliament on Wednesday began debating two proposals—by PASOK-KINAL and SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance—to set up a Parliamentary Preliminary Investigation Committee to examine possible criminal liability of former ministers Makis Voridis and Lefteris Avgenakis over the OPEKEPE subsidy scandal.
Recean Urges Unity, Oversight During Visit to Drochia
Prime Minister Dorin Recean emphasized the importance of unity, peace, and EU integration during a visit to the village of Sofia in Moldova’s northern Drochia district.
Deputy Minister to Inspect Fire Damage in Messinia
Deputy Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Minister Kostas Katsafados will visit Messinia on Wednesday to assess recent wildfire damage.
Erdogan Blasts Israel Over Gaza Crisis
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday condemned the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, describing conditions there as “worse than Nazi camps.”