Cyprus receives first payment under EU defence programme

Cyprus has received its initial disbursement of 177.2 million euros from the European Union's Security Action for Europe (SAFE) programme. This payment represents 15 percent of the total 1.2 billion euros allocated to the country. The funds are designated to support defence investments, enhance military capabilities, and strengthen resilience in alignment with European objectives. The disbursement follows a loan agreement signed between the Cypriot government and the European Commission earlier this month. Cyprus is the sixth EU member state to sign such an agreement, joining Poland, Lithuania, Croatia, Romania, and Belgium. The broader SAFE instrument provides loans to member states to fund joint procurement of military assets such as ammunition, missiles, and air defence systems produced within the EU. European Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius stated that the funding reflects the EU's commitment to collective security and the strengthening of the European defence industry. The SAFE framework is part of a wider initiative aiming to mobilize significant defence investments across the Union by 2030.