Eighteen EU Members Apply for A Total of $147 Billion from Defense Fund
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Eighteen European Union states have so far shown an interest in taking out loans worth a total of at least 127 billion euros ($147 billion) from a fund aimed at boosting the bloc's defenses, the European Commission said on Wednesday.
The fund, known as Security Action for Europe, is ultimately expected to generate 150 billion euros in defense investments. Countries have until November 30 to submit their requests, Reuters reported.
The Commission said the initial "strong interest" allowed it to prepare to raise funds on capital markets.
The countries that have so far shown interest are Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia and Finland.
