EU to start talks with UK, Canada on SAFE military program

The EU Council has approved the start of negotiations with the United Kingdom and Canada on their participation in the EU's Security Action for Europe (SAFE) defence investment programme, Caliber.Az reports via Bloomberg.

The news agency notes that the European Commission will discuss the terms under which British and Canadian companies will be able to participate in procurement under the program during negotiations.

"Today, the Council adopted a decision authorising the opening of negotiations with the United Kingdom and Canada on their participation in the €150 billion SAFE defence loan program," the statement read.

In the spring of 2025, the EU took steps toward large-scale militarisation. Specifically, in March, leaders at an emergency summit in Brussels approved the €800 billion ReArm EU rearmament plan, which provides for joint arms purchases and allocates funds from the program to disadvantaged regions. The EU Council later approved the creation of a €150 billion militarisation fund as part of a long-term military development program running until 2030. At the June NATO summit in The Hague, European states agreed to increase their military spending to 5% of GDP by 2034.

By Khagan Isayev