A summit bringing together leaders of EU institutions and leaders of Turkey, Britain, Iceland, and Norway

Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
A European statement issued in Brussels said that the leaders of the European Union institutions, namely European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, along with High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, held a video conference on Friday with Icelandic Prime Minister Kristrón Frostadóttir, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
President Costa and President von der Leyen briefed the leaders of non-EU countries, who shared their views, on the results of the European Council meeting held on March 20. This meeting was the second of its kind, with the aim of informing the leaders of the results of the discussions of EU Heads of State and Government on support for Ukraine and European defense. In this critical period, cooperation with global partners is crucial.
President Costa and President von der Leyen expressed the European Council's overwhelming support for putting Ukraine in a position of strength to achieve a just and sustainable peace. During the European Council, EU leaders welcomed Ukraine's willingness to enter into a full ceasefire. They emphasized that peace should not be a reward for the aggressor and the need to intensify pressure on Russia.
EU leaders commended the initiative of France and the United Kingdom to form a coalition of the willing, which aims to identify support for the Ukrainian military and the security guarantees that European countries can provide.
President Costa and President von der Leyen expressed the European Council's clear understanding of the exceptional circumstances facing Europe.
They expressed the European Council's agreement on the need for Europe to intensify its investments in security and defense. In this context, they referred to "Readiness 2030," a roadmap aimed at ensuring that the EU has a defense industrial base and defense capabilities that constitute a credible deterrent.
Participants presented proposed financing mechanisms for the required defense investments and the opportunities available to partner countries as a result.
The first mechanism, the "national exit" provision, would provide up to €650 billion in fiscal space in Member States' national budgets. It will not include any conditions regarding the origin of defense equipment, allowing military equipment from partner countries to benefit directly.
The second mechanism, "Safe," provides loans of up to €150 billion. Norway and Iceland can participate directly, as they are members of the European Single Market. Other countries, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and Turkey, can provide up to 35% of defense products immediately. To increase industrial participation beyond 35%, a security and defense partnership and subsequent association agreement are required.
The participants agreed to continue coordinating efforts to strengthen Ukraine's security and enhance European security. The governments of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Japan will subsequently be informed of the European Council's outcomes.

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