On Tuesday 23 March, 2017, the 28 Finance Ministers of the EU will meet first as Governors of the European Investment Bank and then as EU Council for Economic and Financial Affairs. While the Greek situation seem to focus all attention, 29 signatories from ENAAT and the ethical finance sector want to alert on the proposals of the EU Defence Action Plan to use the EU Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI, better known as the Juncker Plan) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) to increase further public funding for the arms industry. But this move would require the agreement of the 28 Member States to modify the EIB rules. We call them to maintain the exclusive civilian mandate of the EIB and EFSI. The arms & security industry largely benefits already from EU and national public money while having a negative impact on peace worldwide.
NBB 2025-1: REARM Europe plan, headlong rush into the rearmament race
12 March 2025
This new edition of our ‘News from the Brussels’ Bubble’ focuses on the REARM Europe plan, intending to bring European militarisation to a different scale. Read it here: NBB2025-1, 07/03/2025 summary: EU funding for the arms industry– Negotiations on EDIP still stalled one year after proposal publication– EDF 2025 prioritise ground systems, incl. mass production of kamikaze drones– “EU defense industry lobbying soars” – Politico confirms findings of our 2023 report– “Omnibus for defence”, or how to facilitate arms dealers’ business, including exports?– EIB coming shift in lending policy: all but lethal weapons and no more ceiling Other