Twelve European Union member states have asked Brussels to trigger the “national escape clause” in EU fiscal rules, aiming to raise defence spending without facing budget penalties, the European Commission said on Wednesday.
The clause would allow countries to exceed the usual 3% deficit threshold, granting them room to increase defence budgets by up to 1.5% of GDP annually over four years. The proposal comes amid growing pressure to strengthen Europe's military capabilities.
Countries making the request include Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia and Slovenia. A spokesperson for the Polish EU Council presidency said four more nations plan to apply soon.
The Commission will now review each submission. Economy Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said the goal is to support higher defence investment while ensuring fiscal responsibility.
The move reflects a shift in EU priorities as geopolitical risks mount and defence becomes a growing part of national budgets.
Iran has released the first images of the casket of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ahead of his funeral scheduled for the 4th - 9th July, as au...
Monaco authorities have issued an arrest warrant and Interpol red notice for a suspect in a parcel bomb attack that injured three people, including Uk...
Mali has established a new state entity to oversee and regulate its rapidly growing artisanal gold sector, as authorities seek to curb smuggling and c...
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has reached a significant milestone in its fight against the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, with the first patient...
Canada is hoping to unveil around 10 founding member countries for a proposed global defence bank at next week's NATO summit in Turkey, as Ottawa push...
Monaco authorities have issued an arrest warrant and Interpol red notice for a suspect in a parcel bomb attack that injured three people, including Ukrainian-born businessman Vadym Yermolaiev, after CCTV showed the suspect placing a package before it exploded Monday evening.
Mali has established a new state entity to oversee and regulate its rapidly growing artisanal gold sector, as authorities seek to curb smuggling and close significant gaps between officially recorded exports and the volumes reported by importing countries.
Canada is hoping to unveil around 10 founding member countries for a proposed global defence bank at next week's NATO summit in Turkey, as Ottawa pushes forward with an initiative aimed at strengthening allied defence capabilities through cheaper and more accessible financing.
New York City is preparing for a dangerous heatwave ahead of this weekend's 4 July celebrations.
A Russian couple climbed to the top of the Empire State Building and unfurled a banner urging world peace before, in an apparent elaborate marriage proposal that ended with their arrests.
Iranian and U.S. negotiating teams were due in Doha this week, but Iran said on Monday no meeting had been scheduled as weekend missile fire from both sides tested the interim ceasefire to end the four-month-old war.
Iran and the U.S. have concluded indirect talks in Doha without a major breakthrough, with discussions focused on maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and frozen Iranian funds. Both sides are expected to meet again after the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran mediated by Qatar in Doha have concluded, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi has said.
On 1 July, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Azerbaijan on a working visit.
Monaco authorities have issued an arrest warrant and Interpol red notice for a suspect in a parcel bomb attack that injured three people, including Ukrainian-born businessman Vadym Yermolaiev, after CCTV showed the suspect placing a package before it exploded Monday evening.
Iran has released the first images of the casket of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ahead of his funeral scheduled for the 4th - 9th July, as authorities prepare for large public gatherings and heightened security concerns.
Mali has established a new state entity to oversee and regulate its rapidly growing artisanal gold sector, as authorities seek to curb smuggling and close significant gaps between officially recorded exports and the volumes reported by importing countries.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has reached a significant milestone in its fight against the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, with the first patient enrolled in a clinical treatment trial aimed at identifying effective therapies for the disease.
Canada is hoping to unveil around 10 founding member countries for a proposed global defence bank at next week's NATO summit in Turkey, as Ottawa pushes forward with an initiative aimed at strengthening allied defence capabilities through cheaper and more accessible financing.
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