The Polish Prime Minister has stated that by Easter his country will receive up to EUR 300 million from the European Union for arms purchases, followed by a further EUR 500-600 million in the next few months. The said amounts will be provided as compensation for arms sent to war-torn Ukraine. 

Mateusz Morawiecki added this would make Poland “the biggest beneficiary” of the EU’s European Peace Facility (EPF), defined as an off-budget funding mechanism for EU actions with military and defence implications. He made the announcement at the close of a two-day EU summit in Brussels, Belgium, on Friday, the IAR news agency reported.

Morawiecki added that in order to replace older weapons shipped to Ukraine, Poland will be able to use EU funds to buy arms and ammunition as well as set up new technological lines for the domestic production of ammunition and various types of weapons.

Morawiecki vowed he would continue to press for a EUR 3.5 billion funding boost for the European Peace Facility.

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The European Peace Facility is an off-budget mechanism that enhances the EU’s ability to act as a global security provider. It was established in March 2021 to preserve peace, prevent conflicts and strengthen international security.

The EPF consists of two pillars: one for military operations and one for assistance measures and it covers an increased range of EU military missions and operations allowing the EU to support partners on a global level, either bilaterally or through international or regional organizations. The Facility replaces the Athena mechanism and the African Peace Facility, which no longer operate, and has a global geographical reach.

The EPF has a total financial ceiling of EUR 7 979 000 000 for 2021-2027. As the EPF is an off-budget mechanism, EU Member-States pay their contributions directly every year, based on the estimated annual budget for the EPF.

Through the EPF, the EU has the capacity to provide military equipment to increase its partners’ security and defence capacity. These are subject to strict safeguards and control mechanisms, while respect for human rights and compliance with international humanitarian law must be ensured at each step.

To date, the European Peace Facility is on the frontline in supporting the capabilities and resilience of the Ukrainian Armed Forces so as to defend the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country as well as protect the civilian population against the ongoing Russian military aggression. 

With resources amounting to EUR 3.6 billion, the EPF covers the costs of military equipment, including items designed to deliver lethal force for defensive purposes, as well as maintenance and repair services.

With information from: Reuters, EPF

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