The Committee of Permanent Representatives of the EU at the ambassadorial level (Coreper) has approved a mandate to negotiate with the European Parliament on the adoption of the European Defense Industry Programme (EDIP).
The programme envisions the allocation of €1.5 billion to accelerate the development of the European defense industry, of which €300 million will be dedicated to supporting Ukraine’s defense sector. This information was published on the website of the European Council.
“member state representatives (Coreper) adopted a mandate for negotiations with the European Parliament on the proposal to establish the European Defence Industry Programme and a framework of measures to ensure the timely availability and supply of defence products (EDIP). EDIP aims to enhance the readiness of the EU’s defence industry by strengthening the competitiveness of the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB) and its ability to adjust to structural changes required by the evolving security landscape. Furthermore, it will contribute to the reconstruction and modernisation of the Ukrainian Defence Technological and Industrial Base, with a view to its future integration into the EDTIB,” the statement reads.
According to the announcement, under EDIP the EU will provide a total of €1.5 billion in grants by December 31, 2027. Of this amount, €1.2 billion will be allocated solely to the European Defense Industry Programme, while an additional €300 million will be designated for the Support Instrument for Ukraine.
The negotiating positions approved by the EU ambassadors also address the legal basis for applying the Support Instrument for Ukraine’s defense industry, which is identical in form, criteria, and conditions to the other funding areas under the EDIP. These legal provisions include additional measures regarding the use of components and defense products originating from Ukraine and the corresponding interactions with legal entities in Ukraine.
“The Council position fully embraces the objective of the Commission proposal to allow the EU to further support Ukraine through the Ukraine Support Instrument, thereby involving the Ukrainian defence industry in the instrument from the start.”
