May 21, 2024 16:33 GMT
MNI BRIEF: Von Der Leyen Calls For European Air Defence Funds
An Air Defence Shield could be funded by national contributions or by EU taxes, Ursula von der Leyen says.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called on Tuesday for a European Air Defence Shield funded either by national contributions or by giving the EU the right to levy more direct taxes.
At a Bruegel think tank debate ahead of June 4-6 European Parliament elections, Von der Leyen said Europe had to decide on its priorities. (See MNI: EDPs Give EU Early Test Of New Fiscal Rules-Officials)
"I would advocate for an air defence shield as a common European project which would be funded "either with national contributions or new own resources," she said. "This has to be the choice".
EU funding also to become "faster, leaner and simpler" so that smaller companies can access funds more easily, she said.
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