BRUSSELS. July 13 (Interfax) - The European Parliament (EP) on Thursday approved plans to increase the production of munitions and missiles in the European Union.
The law passed in a 505-56 vote with 21 abstentions.
"According to the text, agreed upon with Council last week, the Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP) aims to accelerate the delivery of ammunition and missiles to Ukraine and to help member states restock their arsenals," the EP press service said.
By introducing the target measures, including the 500 million euro funding, ASAP aims to "ramp up the EU's production capacity to address the current shortage of defense products, specifically artillery ammunition, missiles and their components," it said.
"MEPs also pushed to ensure that EU countries will provide Ukraine with the ammunition funded under this legislation, without it being subject to export restrictions," the statement said.
Now the law is to be finally approved by the EU Council, after which it will come into force.