Exclusive-European crisis fund worth over $500 billion could be used for defence, says ESM chief


Pierre Gramegna, Managing Director of the European Stability Mechanism, speaks during a meeting between EU Finance Ministers and heads of central banks, in Stockholm, Sweden April 28, 2023. Caisa Rasmussen/TT News Agency/via REUTERS.

FRANKFURT, Jan 30 (Reuters) - A European crisis fund with more than ‌430 billion euros ($514 billion) of firepower could lend money to countries for defence, the head of the European Stability Mechanism told Reuters, as the bloc scrambles to reinforce ‌its military.

Pierre Gramegna, managing director of the European Stability Mechanism, said the ESM could give credit lines for defence and would not demand stringent economic reform in ‌return, in part to dispel any stigma that might arise from asking the emergency euro zone fund for money.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In World

Former Taipei mayor sentenced to 17 years in corruption case
Address root causes of Middle East conflict, Malaysia says at UNHCR meet
Area near one of Russia's biggest oil refineries damaged by Ukrainian drones, official says
Bus falls into river while boarding ferry in Bangladesh, leaving 24 dead
Analysis-Maduro case to test US narcoterrorism law with limited trial success
Panel wants prosecution of ousted Nepal PM over violence in Gen Z protests
Indonesia military officer steps down following acid attack on activist
Tehran rejects US claims of ‘ongoing, productive’ negotiations
Russian attacks kill two in Ukraine's Kharkiv, damage infrastructure on the Danube
Democrats, Republicans trade blame as major U.S. airports continue to see hours-long security lines

Others Also Read