22/03/2021 (Agence Europe) – On Monday 22 March the Council of the EU adopted a decision establishing the European Peace Facility (EPF). This off-budget financial instrument has a budget of around €5 billion for 2021-2027, financed by Member States’ contributions. Its goal is to provide assistance measures to complement the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions and operations activities in host countries. Support may take the form of the provision of military and defence-related equipment, infrastructure or assistance, at the request of third countries or regional or international organisations. This Facility, which was agreed in the EU Council on 18 December (see EUROPE 12626/18), will replace the African Peace Facility and the Athena mechanism previously used to finance the operational common costs of the various CSDP military missions and operations. (CG)