ABSTRACT
Every seven years, the European Union decides on its future long-term budget – the Multiannual Financial Framework. It is an opportunity for Member States and the European institutions to design the European vision for the near future. A new seven-year EU budget always consists of a crucial financial element to implement the EU agenda, in this case, to foster the EU Defence Budget, for the very first time. Negotiations on the next Multiannual Financial Framework will have an important impact on how to deal with the challenges ahead. Choices taken will shape the Union for the decades to come. In particular, new security threats require new responses. The refugee crisis suffered, the regional powers rearming, the escalation of terrorist strikes in Europe and cyberattacks, all these causes force the EU to tackle them with some harder responses. Geopolitical instability is increasing and the values and democratic principles on which the EU is founded are being tested. The Commission proposes a European Defence Fund to promote cooperation and cost savings among Member States in producing state-of-the-art and interoperable defence technology and equipment. Offering support for the research and development parts of the lifecycle will make sure that the results of research are not lost due to lack of funding for developing and testing the technology. It will also avoid duplication, allow for economies of scale and result in a more efficient use of taxpayers’ money.
