19/07/23 (Agence Europe) – On Wednesday 19 July, the Member States’ ambassadors to the EU (Coreper) validated the agreement reached during the inter-institutional negotiations on the Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP). The European Parliament gave the green light on 13 July (see EUROPE 13222/8). The Council is expected to adopt the agreement on Thursday, with publication in the EU’s Official Journal the following day. The ASAP will urgently mobilise €500 million from the EU budget (at current prices) to support the ramp-up of ground-to-ground ammunition and artillery and missile production capabilities. The aim is to implement the third part of the plan adopted by the Council in March 2023 to ensure a long-term increase in European munitions production for Ukraine and EU Member States (see EUROPE 13218/1). (CG)