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ECOFIN Approves Second SAFE Package for Greece and Seven Member States

Published February 17, 2026, 12:20
ECOFIN Approves Second SAFE Package for Greece and Seven Member States

The European Union Council of Economy and Finance Ministers (ECOFIN) has officially approved the second set of implementing decisions for financial assistance under the SAFE regulation for eight additional member states: Estonia, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Finland. The approval was made as a non-discussed item. The Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU announced that intensive efforts are underway for the rapid and smooth implementation of SAFE, as defense is a top priority. The implementing decisions allow for the issuance of affordable, long-term loans from the European Commission. The Cypriot SAFE program had already been approved in the first phase. At the same time, three member states – France, Hungary and the Czech Republic – are awaiting final approval of their plans by the European Commission, with no specific timeline given for the completion of the process.