Adoption of the European Defence Action Plan

The European Commission adopted on 30 November 2016 the European Defence Action Plan. This package proposes a European Defence Fund and other actions to support member states' more efficient spending in joint defence capabilities, strengthen European citizens' security and foster a competitive and innovative industrial base.

The proposals include:

+ Setting up a European Defence Fund, to support investment in joint research and the joint development of defence equipment and technologies;

+ Fostering investments in SMEs, start-ups, mid-caps and other suppliers to the defence industry;

+ Strengthening the Single Market for defence.

The president of the European Commission had highlighted during his 2016 State of the Union speech the importance of a strong Europe that can defend and protect its citizens at home and abroad.

• Primary Source

European Commission: DG Communication: MEMO/16/4101, 30.11.16: The European Defence Action Plan - FAQs http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-16-4101_en.htm

ESO: Background information: Debate of the Foreign Affairs committee on a common defence policy http://www.europeansources.info/record/debate-and-adoption-of-non-legislative-resolutions-on-defence-cooperation-and-a-common-defence-policy/

ESO: Background information: 28 EU Defence ministers agree to move forward on European Defence http://www.europeansources.info/record/28-eu-defence-ministers-agree-to-move-forward-on-european-defence/

EUObserver, 30.11.16: EU to propose joint defence fund https://euobserver.com/foreign/136091

EurActiv, 30.11.16: European Defence Union: The return of ‘hard power’ http://www.euractiv.com/section/security/news/european-defence-union-the-return-of-hard-power/

Politico, 30.11.16: Commission launches plan to boost defense spending http://www.politico.eu/article/european-commission-launches-plan-to-boost-defense-spending-military/

EU: EEAS: Speech: 30.11.16: Remarks by the High Representative Mogherini on the adoption of the European Defence Action Plan https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/16164/

EUObserver, 30.11.16: EU nations to retain control of defence fund https://euobserver.com/foreign/136098

BBC News, 30.11.16: European Union unveils funding boost in defence action plan http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-38159848

The New York Times, 30.11.16: E.U. Plans Big Increase in Military Spending http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/30/world/europe/eu-plans-big-increase-in-military-spending.html

Deutsche Welle, 30.11.16: EU to support common defense market, boost joint spending http://dw.com/p/2TXgK

The Wall Street Journal, 30.11.16: EU Sets Out Defense Proposals, a Long Way From a European Army http://blogs.wsj.com/brussels/2016/11/30/eu-sets-out-defense-proposals-a-long-way-from-a-european-army/

BBC News, 03.12.16: Boris Johnson: UK won't block EU defence co-operation http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-38172512

The Guardian, 02.12.16: UK will not block closer EU defence ties, says Boris Johnson https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/dec/02/uk-will-not-block-closer-eu-defence-ties-says-boris-johnson

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