Brussels, 11/10/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 21 November, the European Commission is expected to unveil its new draft directive on the awarding of defence contracts, covering contracts not covered by the derogation to Article 296 of the European Treaty that the member states can use to exempt their defence markets from EU principles and rules on questions like publicity and equal treatment (see EUROPE 9323).
The draft directive will have to take account of the special nature of the defence industry in terms of security of supply and security of information. It will also clarify the rules authorising member states to use the negotiated procedure whereby a public body can choose the suppliers it wishes to negotiate a contract with, and without having to publish a call for tender ahead of time. The draft directive will be accompanied by a regulation on transfers of military equipment within the EU and a communication on the defence industries. (mb)