2019
Discussion on the European Defence Fund in Helsinki
A High-Level Conference on the European Defence Fund (EDF) will be held in Helsinki from 3 to 4 October 2019. The seminar will be organised as part of the official programme during the Finnish Presidency of the EU Council, bringing together more than 200 experts from EU institutions, Member States, the European defence industry, research institutes and other relevant actors to discuss the implementation of the Defence Fund.
Proposed by the European Commission, the EDF is a new financial instrument, worth EUR 13 billion, which aims at strengthening European defence research and capability development. The purpose of the Fund is to finance such European projects in the field of defence that will address shortfalls, identified jointly by the Member States. The ultimate size of the EDF will be determined in the context of the negotiations on the next Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027.
The EU's security and defence cooperation has grown in recent years, and the EDF reflects that development. During the Presidency, Finland strives to ensure that the objectives set for deepening security and defence cooperation will be implemented effectively.
For background information on the European Defence Fund, see the blog published on the Ministry's website www.defmin.fi/EDF_eng
Inquiries: Ministerial Adviser Mari Eteläpää, tel. +358 295 140 047 and Senior Adviser Frans Peltonen, tel. +358 295 140 021. Any requests for interviews will be received by Kristian Vakkuri, Senior Adviser, tel. +358 295 140 123.