Explainers

To strengthen the EU's long-term competitiveness, simpler rules are key. The EU is on track to simplify legislation in several areas, while also protecting its economic, social and environmental goals.

The EU-NATO strategic partnership is crucial to maintaining security and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area, and to protecting citizens in Europe and beyond.

The EU and its member states are committed to ramp up Europe’s defence readiness and to boost their defence spending at a time of rapid geopolitical shifts and a radically changed security situation.

SAFE is an EU instrument providing loans of up to €150 billion to help EU member states make rapid and significant increases in their defence investments through common procurement.

The EU allows member states to use the national escape clause to give them additional budgetary flexibility to boost defence spending in response to rising security threats.

The Common Security and Defence Policy enables the EU to deploy civilian and military missions and operations outside the EU, drawing on the operational capabilities of EU member states. 

The EU concludes security and defence partnerships with like-minded non-EU countries to promote peace and security across the world.

The EU and its member states work together to prevent, counter and respond to hybrid threats and campaigns affecting Europe and its citizens. 

The EU facilitates common procurement through different initiatives. Cooperation between member states on defence procurement brings greater efficiency and cost savings.

The European defence industry programme (EDIP) is one of the many initiatives the EU has taken to boost its defence readiness and enhance Europe's defence industry in light of an evolving security landscape.