France has proposed to limit the use of British military components. This is a move that could complicate the UK’s negotiations into the program.
Four diplomatic sources that French officials have proposed that a 50% maximum value of British components be set in projects funded by the EU Fund “Safety in Europe” (SAFE) of 150 billion euros.
The loan program is part of the EU’s attempt to increase defense spending by 800 billion euros and to re -arrange Epirus. European Commission President Ursula von der Laene praised the program on Tuesday. Among other things, he said the speed at which the Commission moved confirms “the feeling of urgency we need”.
The door for greater participation in the United Kingdom opened in May. Kir Starmer and von der Laien then signed a cooperation agreement in the field of security and defense. Without this agreement, the United Kingdom could never provide more than 35% of the value of the Safe -funded components.
The difficult equation of UK participation
However, the United Kingdom must still negotiate a technical agreement to secure a larger role for its defense companies, while the EU could impose restrictions on Britain’s involvement. The British government must also negotiate an end to join the program.
The limits on British contributions were proposed during internal meetings, as EU Member States are preparing a negotiating order for the European Commission before talks with the Keir Starmer government.
The United Kingdom and the Commission will negotiate the costs and conditions of Britain’s accession to Safe in the coming weeks, but first the EU must end up unanimously about its position.
The vast majority of Member States are opposed to restrictions on the participation of the United Kingdom, as they want flexibility in defense supplies. An EU diplomat described the proposed 50 % limit as “the classic French obsession”.
France has long supported the idea of a European defense industry independent of the US: it has also argued that, after Brexit, Britain can no longer reap the benefits of the EU single market.
Discussions with Canada and United Kingdom for Safe
The United Kingdom does not intend to apply for loans intended for EU Member States, but hopes that British defense companies will benefit from the explosion of spending. A formal agreement on SAFE would make it easier for British companies to join the defense supply chains to provide equipment, ranging from small drones, ammunition and infantry weapons to precision artillery systems.
A representative of France’s permanent delegation in Brussels said: “We support the European Commission in its efforts to set the terms of the United Kingdom’s participation in Safe. The basis for this is provided by the Safe Regulation, which stipulates, inter alia, that some of the components must come from the EU industry. “
The United Kingdom must also negotiate the fee for participation in the program, which is intended to cover administrative expenses. EU higher diplomats are expected to discuss Wednesday the United Kingdom’s accession to Safe, as well as a parallel text for Canada, who also recently signed a defense and security pact with the Union.
The European Commission spokesman Thomas Renier said: “The United Kingdom is an essential partner and ally of the EU, with whom the president signed an agreement on security and defense cooperation in May. It has a very advanced defense industry, we have many common interests, so our will to sign a mutual benefit agreement for its full integration into the average Safe. “
