Written question – Investments in defence and Romania’s budget deficit – P-002191/2025

Priority question for written answer  P-002191/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Şerban Dimitrie Sturdza (ECR)

The European Union has approved the creation of the SAFE instrument, the EUR 150 billion European arms fund that will support those Member States that wish to invest in defence industrial production through common procurement. This initiative is welcome in the current geopolitical context.

However, since Romania has been in the excessive debt procedure (over 3 % of GDP) for four years and Romania had an ESA (standard used in the European Union) budget deficit of 9.2 % of GDP in 2024:

• 1.How does the European Commission intend to harmonise the implementation of the SAFE programme with the situation of Member States with a major budget deficit, such as Romania, so that access to financing to strengthen defence capacities does not deepen national fiscal imbalances?
• 2.In view of the high level of the budget deficit estimated for Romania (8.6 % of GDP in 2025), what concrete instruments is the European Commission making available to support Romania in its efforts to strengthen national defence, without compromising macroeconomic stability?
• 3.What opportunities for financing or participation in European defence programmes are available to Romania in the context of other security initiatives, which do not entail new sovereign loans and can contribute to the development of defence industrial capacities?

Submitted: 2.6.2025