Press Release: Public procurement: new Commission initiatives on more open and efficient defence procurement

The European Commission on 6 December 2005 adopted a Communication outlining its proposals for future initiatives to improve cross-border competition in defence procurement. In 2006, the Commission was planning to adopt an 'Interpretative Communication' clarifying when Member States could derogate from EU law requiring competitive procurement with regard to supplies, works and services intended for specifically military purposes and crucial to essential security interests. In parallel, preliminary work was to begin towards a possible Directive that would co-ordinate procedures for defence procurement in cases where the derogation under Article 296 EC is not applicable or a Member State chooses not to take advantage of it.

European Commission: Memo: MEMO/05/467, Frequently asked questions - New Commission initiatives on more open and efficient defence procurement, 6.12.05 http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/05/467&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=fr

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