17/02/2026 (Agence Europe) – After adopting the national investment plans of eight countries (see EUROPE 13788/14), the Ecofin Council did the same on Tuesday 17 February for the plans of the eight other Member States concerned: Poland, Italy, Finland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Slovakia and Greece (see EUROPE 13806/29). “These decisions pave the way for affordable, long-term loans to be released by the Commission, which enables the participating countries to acquire modern defence equipment and to boost their defence readiness”, said Cypriot Finance Minister Mákis Keravnós, current chair of the Ecofin Council. The French, Hungarian and Czech plans have yet to be approved by the Commission. (MB)