Ministers adopted a decision increasing the overall financial ceiling of the European Peace Facility (EPF) by €3.5 billion which is a signal of the EU’s enduring commitment to military support for Ukraine and other partners alike. The EPF helps prevent conflict, preserve peace and strengthen international security and stability.
With today’s top-up, the overall financial ceiling now totals more than €12 billion (in current prices).
This decision sends a clear political signal of the EU’s enduring commitment to military support for Ukraine and other partners alike.
Background and next steps
The European Peace Facility was established in March 2021 to finance all common foreign and security policy (CFSP) actions relating to military and defence matters, with the aim of preventing conflict, preserving peace and strengthening international security and stability. In particular, the European Peace Facility allows the EU to finance actions designed to strengthen the capacities of non-EU countries and regional and international organisations in relation to military and defence matters.
Council agrees on further increase of support under the European Peace Facility |
The EPF is an off-budget instrument. It started with an overall financial ceiling of €5.5 billion (in current prices) for the period 2021-2027, which was increased with a first top-up of €2 billion to almost €8 billion (in current prices) on 13 March 2023. Contributions by member states are determined based on a gross national income (GNI) distribution key.
Thanks to the EPF, the EU has been supporting the Ukrainian Armed Forces through seven successive support packages so far, as well as many other countries such as: Mozambique, Georgia, Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Somalia, Niger, Mauritania, Lebanon and Jordan. The military components of African-led Peace Support Operations and multinational units such as the Balkan Medical Task Force, have also been supported through the EPF.
As a result, 92% of the overall financial ceiling for 2021-2027 has already been committed in 2023, which made a further increase necessary.
More information: Council of the EU
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