The Council of the European Union has approved an agreement with Canada, allowing Canadian companies and products to take part in the EU's €150 billion Security Action for Europe (Safe) defence procurement programme. Canada is now the first non-European country to join the initiative, boosting strategic cooperation between the EU and one of its closest allies.

Cyprus, along with other member states, will benefit from this agreement, enabling the acquisition of Canadian military hardware using funds from the Safe programme. Earlier this month, Cyprus signed a loan agreement with the European Commission to access over €1 billion under Safe to modernise its National Guard's equipment until 2030.

Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas highlighted the significance of the programme in addressing critical EU defence needs. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney also emphasised that this partnership will accelerate NATO targets, expand markets for Canadian suppliers, and attract European defence investment to Canada, marking a new era of transatlantic defence collaboration.