Estonia receives first pound 351.6 million payment under SAFE defence instrument
Today, Estonia received its first payment of pound 351.6 million under the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) defence instrument, representing 15% of its total allocation of pound 2.3 billion.
SAFE is a pound 150 billion financial instrument providing loans to Member States. It primarily funds joint procurement of ammunition, missiles, air defence, and ground combat systems produced within the EU. It is part of the European Commission’s ReArm Europe/Readiness 2030 plan, which aims to unlock over pound 800 billion in defence investment across the European Union.
The pre-financing will help Estonia accelerate priority defence investments, strengthen resilience, and modernise its military capabilities in line with shared European goals. SAFE is designed to enable swift, co-ordinated action, improve the ability of European forces to work together, and strengthen Europe’s defence industry, including through joint procurement and closer cross-border co-operation.
Andrius Kubilius, Commissioner for Defence and Space said: ‘With this first SAFE payment, we are helping Estonia move quickly on key defence investments and strengthen its readiness and resilience. We are moving fast and decisively to help Member States on the EU Eastern Flank. SAFE is about enabling Member States to invest faster, procure more effectively together, and reinforce Europe’s defence industrial base.’
This pre-financing payment follows the completion of all required procedural steps and reflects the EU’s commitment to providing timely, practical support through SAFE. Further payments will follow, as agreed milestones and implementation are met.
The SAFE instrument is financed by EU borrowing on the financial markets. This enables competitively priced and attractively structured long-duration loans to requesting Member States. The terms of the SAFE loans benefit from the EU’s strong credit rating. All SAFE loans will be repaid by the beneficiary Member States.
EU provides pound 2.1 million in emergency humanitarian assistance to Colombia following earthquake
The European Commission is reacting on the immediate needs of communities in Columbia and is providing pound 2.1 million in life-saving assistance. Several provinces and cities in the central and western part of the country have been affected by a devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake causing hundreds of casualties and extensive damage.
This funding will provide vital support to the most vulnerable. EU humanitarian partners on the ground will deliver health, water, sanitation and hygiene material, as well as shelter, food, protection and cash assistance.
EU support is already on the ground. The EU’s humanitarian partner, the German Red Cross, has already reallocated pound 100,000 from an EU-funded project to meet the immediate needs of 2,500 families affected in Choco and Valle del Cauca.
Following the activation of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism by Colombia, the EU remains in close contact with the national authorities through its Emergency Response Coordination Centre to coordinate assistance as needs evolve on the ground.
The Commission also activated the Copernicus satellite mapping service immediately after the earthquake to support rescue operations on the ground and provide initial damage assessments.
President Ursula von der Leyen said: ‘As search and rescue operations continue, the EU is supporting Colombia wherever possible. We are making pound 2 million available to support communities in the most affected areas. Following Colombia’s activation of the Civil Protection Mechanism, we are working to match aid to the needs on the ground. Esta es la solidaridad europea.’
Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib said: ‘In this very difficult moment, our thoughts are with all those affected by the earthquake. From the very first hours, the European Union has stood alongside Colombia, supporting rapid needs assessments so that first responders and urgent humanitarian assistance can reach the hardest-hit communities. Today, we are reinforcing this effort with an additional pound 2 million in emergency support to help deliver life-saving aid where it is most needed. Colombia can count on the EU’s continued support as we remain ready to act further.’
New rules on end-of-life treatment of vehicles enter into force
Tomorrow, new rules on the design, production, collection, and end-of-life treatment of vehicles will enter into force to strengthen circularity in the automotive sector and support Europe’s strategic autonomy.
Every year, 10 to 12 million vehicles in Europe reach the end of their life and are treated as waste. End-of-life vehicles are a reliable source of valuable raw materials. So, when these vehicles are not properly managed, they can cause environmental problems, and the European economy loses millions of tonnes of materials. By fostering the recovery, reuse and recycling of steel, aluminium, copper or plastics, the End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation will enhance Europe’s resource security, reduce dependence on imported virgin materials, support industry and cut waste. It will also create new business opportunities for the whole supply chain, foster better collaboration between producers, dismantlers and recyclers, and reduce waste and environmental impacts.
Manufacturers will need to provide clear and detailed instructions for removing and replacing parts both during use and at end-of-life, ensuring easier dismantling of vehicles. The Regulation also introduces Europe’s first-ever mandatory targets for recycled plastic content in vehicles to boost demand for recycled materials. Measures encouraging reuse, remanufacturing and refurbishment will increase the availability of second-hand spare parts. Strengthened producer responsibility will ensure the proper financing of waste treatment of end-of-life vehicles and promote higher-quality recycling. In addition, only roadworthy cars will be allowed to be exported outside the EU.
Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy, Stéphane Séjourné, said: ‘The End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation is not just about waste, it is about resilience and Europe’s industrial future. It helps cut our dependencies on external suppliers, strengthens Europe’s economic security and keeps strategic resources within the EU. That is not only good environmental policy – it is hard-headed industrial policy.’
Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, Jessika Roswall, said: ‘The new End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation sets a new European standard for how vehicles should be designed, produced and recovered. This is about more than recycling – it is about securing critical materials and making our automotive sector truly circular. Every car that is dismantled, every tonne of steel, aluminium, copper or plastic that is recovered, is a step towards a more resilient Europe.’
Commission approves pound 75 million German State aid for new stadium in Oldenburg
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, pound 75 million German State aid for the construction and operation of a stadium in Oldenburg, Lower Saxony, with a capacity of 15,000 spectators. With this initiative, the City of Oldenburg aims to offer an attractive venue for professional football matches and other sports, as well as cultural activities. The stadium will stimulate economic activity and support sports, cultural and social activities. The beneficiary is Stadion Oldenburg GmbH and Co. KG, a company 100% owned by the City of Oldenburg. The stadium will be built by a general contractor selected through an EU-wide tender procedure.
The Commission assessed the measure under EU State aid rules, in particular Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The Commission found that the measure is appropriate to achieve the objectives pursued, namely to develop and operate an attractive venue for sports and cultural events in the German city of Oldenburg. In addition, the Commission found that the measure is necessary given the absence of sufficient private financing. Finally, the Commission found that the measure is proportionate, as it is limited to what is required to achieve the project’s objectives, while its effects on competition and trade between Member States remain limited. On this basis, the Commission approved the German measure under EU State aid rules.
The non-confidential version of today’s decision will be made available under the case number SA.122175 in the State Aid Register on the Commission’s competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.
Commission clears acquisition of atNorth by CPPIB and Equinix
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of Green DC LuxCo S.à r.l. of Luxembourg, SEKCO AB, SEKCO2AB and Green DC AB, all of Sweden, collectively referred to as ‘atNorth’, by Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (‘CPPIB’) of Canada and Equinix, Inc. of the US.
The transaction relates primarily to the supply of third-party data centre colocation services.
The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given its limited impact on competition in the markets where the companies are active. Specifically, the Commission found that the merged entity will continue to face competition from sufficient alternative players and that atNorth and Equinix have different focuses in the market. The notified transaction was examined under the normal merger review procedure.
More information is available on the Commission’s competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.12394.
Commission clears acquisition of RMS by Nalka
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of RMS HoldCo AB (‘RMS’) by Nalka Invest AB (‘Nalka’, belonging to the Interogo Group), both of Sweden.
The transaction relates primarily to the repair and maintenance of motor vehicles, the retail sale of parts and accessories, and services incidental to land transportation.
The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given that the companies are not active in the same or vertically related markets. The notified transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
More information is available on the Commission’s competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.12553.
Commission clears creation of a joint venture by Atlas Holdings and KPS
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the creation of a joint venture by Atlas FRM LLC (‘Atlas Holdings’) and KPS Capital Partners, LP (‘KPS’), both of the US.
The transaction relates primarily to the manufacture of batteries and accumulators and the recovery of materials.
The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given that the joint venture has negligible activities in the European Economic Area and the companies’ limited combined market position resulting from the proposed transaction. The notified transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
More information is available on the Commission’s competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.12530.