NBB 2025-3: Future Competitiveness fund will expand EU militarisation

The latest issue of the ENAAT newsletter ‘News from the Brussels’ Bubble’ is now available online here

Summary: 

EU funding for the arms industry

  • Defence Fund: less transparency with first classified project, future Competitiveness Fund
  • SAFE Regulation adopted and entered into force despite controversial legal basis
  • EU Cohesion Fund: diverting money for large arms dealers and military mobility
  • Consultation on mini-omnibus for defence, simplification package expected 17 June
  • EDIP: Council negotiations to resume this week, agreement under Danish presidency?
  • EIB: €40 million package for defence and cooperation with national counterparts
  • EU start-up strategy with focus on military and dual-use tech

Other aspects of EU militarisation

  • EP priorities for post-2027 EU budget: competitiveness, rearmament, deregulation
  • EU MoDs gatherings: few decisions taken, next steps at NATO and European Summits
  • EU-UK deal: much ado for nothing or first step towards arms industry cooperation?
  • PESCO: Switzerland to be invited to participate in ‘Cyber Ranges Federations’ project
  • Military power ‘precondition’ for EU economic hegemony according to ECB chair

EU Peace Facility and related news

  • EU RDC operational but lacking political agreement on “how, why and when”?
  • Ukraine: one billion for military aid under the Danish initiative
  • Prospects for a military assistance measure for Togo in West Africa
  • EEAS cut staff in delegations: less human resources for non-violent policies

more news

Civil society to MEPs: “Move the Money from War to Peace!”

OPEN LETTER to Euro-parliamentarians, 20/11/2025 (download .pdf format) Over 800 organisations call Euro-parliamentarians to move the money from war to peace Dear Member of the European Parliament, Next week, you will be called upon to vote on a crucial issue, the 2026 budget, and other important votes and negotiations are coming up or already underway, including the next long-term EU budget (MFF 2028-2034) and a series of “omnibus packages”, i.e. deregulation processes. All these proposals contain massive increases in military spending and gifts to the arms industry. We strongly ask you to oppose these dangerous moves and redirect

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NBB 2025-6: Roadmap to war under national leadership

The latest issue of the ENAAT newsletter ‘News from the EU Bubble’ is now Available here Summary: EU funding for the arms industry MEPs & Council reach deal on EDIP: EU Military Sales mechanism to boost arms exports? SAFE loans: negotiations open with UK and Canada Next EU-long term budget: military focus a given, divergences on degree and scope EIB: more money and faster decision-making on military projects EU-Israel: no sanctions and EU draft strategy, Elbit out! campaign other aspects of European militarisation Defence readiness roadmap: Europe ready for war by 2030? Governments regain control over “Europe of defence”

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