European Union governments have agreed on a 1.5 billion-euro scheme to fund defence investments, though some countries said its "buy European" rules are too restrictive, diplomats said on Wednesday.
The European Defence Industrial Programme (EDIP) is part of a broader effort to re-arm the bloc following the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Under the deal, at least 65% of component costs for funded items must originate in the EU or associated countries. France had pushed for stricter rules, while others, including the Netherlands, sought more flexibility to buy from the U.S., UK and other allies.
Ambassadors from the EU’s 27 countries are expected to formally approve the deal on Monday, before negotiations with the European Parliament.
A group of 10 countries - including the Netherlands and Baltic states - argued the rules should better reflect the urgent need to boost European defences, given the industry's current reliance on key foreign components.
Despite concerns, they said they would not block progress on the plan, which could receive more funding in future.
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One hundred years after the First World War and more than eighty years after the devastation of the Second World War gave rise to the United Nations, humanity once again finds itself living in an age of permanent crisis.
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Greenland has issued a “strong warning” to a U.S. oil company linked to President Donald Trump after drilling equipment was brought ashore without the required government approvals, according to British media.
Iran said it was nearing a final pact with Oman defining new shipping lanes between them through the Strait of Hormuz but repeated that the U.S. must meet other conditions.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham faces an early test of his climate commitments as his government weighs whether to approve two major North Sea oil and gas projects, Rosebank and Jackdaw.
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North Korea has deployed troops, weapons and now, according to a Ukrainian intelligence official, a missile unit to support Russia's war against Ukraine, marking Pyongyang's most significant involvement in a war since the 1950s.
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