EU discusses lower planned defence-related budget allocation, Rapporteur reports

Ireland's Council of the EU presidency proposed reducing planned funding for security, defence industry and space within the European Competitiveness Fund from €131 billion to €113.7 billion, Rapporteur reported.

It would revise the European Commission's proposed amount, rather than reduce all EU member states' defence spending. The outlet says a separate €2 billion reduction is proposed for military mobility, for which the Commission envisaged €17.6 billion.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said the negotiating draft failed to meet future security needs. Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal stressed the importance of security and transport connections along the EU's eastern border.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda criticised cuts to the Connecting Europe Facility, including military mobility. Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo also called for greater investment in defence and competitiveness.

According to Rapporteur's account cited by RIA Novosti on October 16, some countries favour finding additional EU-level revenue to keep funding closer to the original proposal.

Leaders did not agree on the new seven-year budget on the summit's first day. European Council President António Costa was asked to continue seeking a compromise.