Press Release: Commission proposes new competitive measures for defence industries and markets

The fragmentation of the European defence market and divergent national policies create red tape, hamper innovation and competitiveness and, ultimately, weaken the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP). The European Commission presented a package of initiatives to improve this situation. This 'defence package' contains three elements: 1) A communication with recommendations for fostering the competitiveness of the sector; 2) A Directive on defence procurement to enhance openness and intra-European competition in Member States' defence markets; and 3) A Directive on intra-EU transfers of defence products designed to alleviate the obstacles to intra-community trade. The proposed new legislation will contribute to creating a genuine European market in this sector without sacrificing Member State control over their essential defence and security interests.

European Commission: MEMO:07/546: Commission proposes cutting red tape in EU defence industry http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/07/546&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

European Commission: SPEECH/07/789: Defence Procurement http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/07/789&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

European Commission: MEMO:07/547: Commission proposes enhancing openness and transparency in EU defence markets http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/07/547&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

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