MNI BRIEF: 12 EU States Apply For Fiscal Escape

Twelve out of 27 EU member states have applied for an "escape clause" from the Union's fiscal rules in order to increase their defence spending, the European Commission has stated. 

Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia and Slovenia have applied so far, although the Commission has stressed that April 30 is a "soft" deadline and that there is still time for other states to apply. (See: MNI INTERVIEW:Spain Unsure On Fiscal Escape Clause For Defence )