29/08/2025 (Agence Europe) – After initially notifying its intention to call on loans from the European ‘SAFE’ instrument aimed at increasing national military spending (see EUROPE 13696/6), Ireland finally withdrew its request. In all, nineteen EU Member States will be taking part in the initiative, which has been allocated a maximum of €150 billion. On Tuesday 9 September, the European Commission will notify the Member States of the provisional breakdown of loans granted to participating countries so that they can submit their national plans by the end of November. The Commission will assess these plans and may decide to grant pre-financing of up to 15% of the allocated national budget to the projects selected. (MB)