18/07/2023 (Agence Europe) – On Tuesday 18 July, MEPs from the Committees on ‘Foreign Affairs’ and ‘Industry, Research and Energy’ and the ‘Security and Defence’ Subcommittee validated the agreement reached on 27 June during interinstitutional negotiations on the instrument to strengthen the European defence industry reinforcement through common procurement act (EDIRPA) (see EUROPE 13211/18). The European Parliament is due to vote on the agreement at its September plenary session. The Member States’ ambassadors to the EU (Coreper) gave their approval on 5 July. With a budget of €300 million up to 31 December 2025, EDIRPA is intended to provide partial reimbursement, via European funds, to Member States that pool their requests and make joint purchases of defence products within consortia of at least three countries. (CG)