Est. 1min 12-03-2003 (updated: 07-11-2012 ) Euractiv is part of the Trust Project >>> Languages: Français | DeutschPrint Email Facebook X LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram The EU Commission has unveiled steps to harmonize and regroup European defence equipment, to enhance European Security and Defence Policy Read more with Euractiv Eurobarometer: EU citizens want common foreign policy, have negative attitudes on USAccording to the latest Eurobarometer, 46 per cent of the EU's citizens believe that the US plays a "negative role" in world peace, while 32 per cent see Washington's contribution as positive. Subscribe now to our newsletter EU Elections Decoded Email Address * Politics Newsletters BackgroundIn an effort to bolster Europe's fledging Security and Defence Policy (ESDP), the EU Commission published a communication on long-term needs for a competitive European defence industry on 11 March. It underlined the need for creating Europe-wide, cost efficient defence spending so that the EU's military apparatus could be unified and streamlined. The current EU defence budget is half that of the United States: 160 billion EURO for the EU, compared to 390 billion US. The proposal reflects major changes in the breadth intended for ESDP, since the Commission's first proposals on this question, dating back to 1996/97. The Commission has announced it will work with all major stakeholders, from the research and development, industry and scientific sectors to pool their knowledge on investments and technology to improve Europe's long-term security One of the first measures would include the development of an equipment standardisation handbook by 2004. Additionally, improving the regulatory environment and facilitating the intra-community transfer of defence equipment will be the focus of a study launched by the Commission this year, the Communication outlines.
