The member states were supposed to implement Directive 2009/43/EC on intra-EU transfers of Defense products by June 30, 2011.
“Until recently, fragmentation of the European defence market and divergent national approaches caused many problems for the European defence industry. For example, national systems to control the transfer of defence equipment to another Member State did not distinguish between exports to third countries and transfers between Member States,” the Commission said in a press release.
“Directive 2009/43/EC on intra-EU transfers of defence products is intended to alleviate these obstacles. It is a further step towards a genuine European market for defence equipment while preserving Member States’ control over their essential defence and security interests.”
Romania and Italy must inform the Commission within two months of the measures taken to ensure compliance with the obligations under the directive, or they may be referred to the European Court of Justice.