EU Adopts SAFE Regulation

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.