Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): Canada has formally joined the European Union’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative, Defence Minister David McGuinty announced, marking a significant step in deepening defence cooperation with Europe.
As per the sources, McGuinty said the agreement would enhance collective security, strengthen defence capabilities and open new opportunities for Canadian firms in European defence markets. He added that the move would also contribute to broader European and Ukrainian security efforts.
Canada’s official entry into SAFE comes less than a year after Prime Minister Mark Carney signed a strategic defence and security partnership with the European Union, which included provisions for participation in the programme.
Launched in March, SAFE enables participating countries to access low-interest loans to jointly procure military equipment and weapons systems. The framework also allows companies from partner nations, including Canada, to bid on collaborative defence contracts funded under the scheme.
The initiative forms part of the EU’s broader push to strengthen its defence readiness amid Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
Earlier this week, the Council of the European Union approved the first round of SAFE financial assistance, making funds available to Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Spain, Croatia, Portugal and Romania. A second round, expected to be adopted shortly, will extend assistance to Estonia, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Finland.
