European development institutions and EIB join forces to support EU security and defense

Development banks from France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain as well as the EIB are looking for new ways to strengthen cooperation in the area of the European arms and defense industry. The goal is to develop cooperation on a European scale in R&D, infrastructure and industrial capacity building, among other areas.

National investment-supporting financial institutions from France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain and the European Investment Bank (EIB) jointly want to work to boost Europe's security and defense capabilities. The six long-term investors - Caisse des Depôts, Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW), Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP), Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (BGK) and Instituto de Crédito Oficial (ICO), as well as the EIB - have declared their willingness to deepen cooperation and seek new opportunities for joint action.

The cooperation is to apply to investments and potential joint financing of projects in areas such as research and development, industry and infrastructure.

The agreement was announced today in Warsaw, on the sidelines of a meeting of the presidents of institutions affiliated with the European Long-Term Investors Association (ELTI), hosted by BGK. This is an important step that strengthens the cooperation between European development institutions and the EIB - particularly in the context of supporting infrastructure, technology and industrial capabilities related to security and defense.

The initiative can also lead to the joint development of new projects - including advice or financial products - and is part of a pan-European approach to strengthening security. It is open to other public long-term investors, especially institutions from other EU countries. It's part of a broader plan to build a stronger European Union and respond to new threats from the geopolitical situation.

Additional information

About Caisse des Dépôts Group

Caisse des Dépôts and its subsidiaries form a public long-term investor group serving the general interest and economic development of local areas.

It combines five areas of specialization: social policy (pensions, vocational training, disability, elderly, health), asset management, monitoring of subsidiaries and strategic holdings, corporate financing (with Bpifrance) and Banque des Territoires.

About Cassa Depositi e Prestiti

It is a national development institution that has been supporting the Italian economy since 1850. CDP's main objective is to accelerate Italy's industrial and infrastructural development to boost its economic and social growth. CDP focuses its activities on sustainable development at the local level, supporting innovation and growth of Italian companies, including internationally. It cooperates with local authorities on financing and consulting to create infrastructure and improve services of public value. CDP also actively participates in international cooperation initiatives to implement projects in developing countries and emerging markets. Cassa Depositi e Prestiti is entirely financed by private capital, through the issuance of Postal Savings Bonds and Postal Savings Books, and through issues on domestic and international financial markets.

About the EIB

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the European Union's long-term lending institution, owned by its member states. The EIB finances investments under eight main priorities that support the EU's policy objectives: climate action and environment, digitization and technological innovation, security and defense, cohesion, agriculture and bioeconomy, social infrastructure, capital markets union and a stronger Europe.

About ICO

Instituto de Crédito Oficial (ICO) is Spain's national development bank, operating under the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Enterprise. ICO has become a point of reference in financing both SMEs and large investment projects and contributes to sustainable growth by promoting economic activities that, due to their social, cultural, innovative or environmental importance, deserve promotion and development.

About KfW

KfW is one of the world's leading development banks. With decades of experience, KfW is committed to improving economic, social and environmental living conditions around the world on behalf of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Länder. To this end, it has provided funds worth a total of €112.8 billion in 2024 alone. Its financial and promotional activities are aligned with the United Nations' Agenda 2030 and contribute to the achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) worldwide.

About BGK

Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego is a Polish development bank, the only such institution in Poland. BGK supports the country's sustainable social and economic development. Its activities influence job creation, housing construction, infrastructure development and improvement of air quality. The bank cares about future generations - it builds social capital, develops entrepreneurship and provides responsible financing. It is present in every region of Poland, as well as abroad - it has representative offices in Brussels, Frankfurt am Main and Kyiv. The bank is involved in the implementation of European Funds in Poland, as well as products financed by the National Recovery Plan. BGK supports exports and foreign expansion of Polish companies. Through cooperation with business, the public sector and financial institutions, it responds to economic needs and undertakes a number of initiatives to promote sustainable development.