Transparency International Bulgaria submitted its position as part of the European Commission’s consultation on simplifying public procurement rules in the defence and security sectors, along with 81 other organizations, including European and national companies in the defence sector, technology firms, suppliers, and manufacturers, universities and research centers, as well as a number of nongovernmental organizations.
Our main message is that integrity and good governance are not secondary safeguards, but key prerequisites for an effective defence.
In the context of growing European investment, strong oversight, clear accountability structures, and proportionate transparency are crucial to ensuring that increased spending translates into real defence capabilities, sustainable trust, and long-term industrial stability.
Transparency International Bulgaria supports the need for faster and more efficient procedures, but this should be a simplification accompanied by appropriate safeguards.
Our position is in line with the objectives of the Joint White Paper on European Defence Readiness by 2030, which explicitly emphasizes faster and more efficient procurement, as well as with the ReArm Europe investment framework, aimed at rebuilding and strengthening the European defence industry.
Faster and more efficient procurement procedures are needed to strengthen the readiness and competitiveness of the European defence industry. Simplification should reduce the administrative burden and expand market access, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises and new entrants to the sector.
At the same time, the acceleration of procedures should be accompanied by clear administrative safeguards. A lack of transparency and oversight in accelerated or exceptional procedures carries the risk of conflicts of interest, inefficient use of funds, and a decline in public trust.
Therefore, we propose that ReArm Europe beneficiaries meet contemporary standards of good governance and integrity, including:
- – implementation of policies to protect human rights within the scope of the organization’s activities;
– the implementation of effective mechanisms for whistleblower protection;
– internal systems for the prevention and management of corruption and fraud risks;
– ensuring transparency regarding beneficial ownership;
– implementing reliable mechanisms to prevent money laundering and limit the use of offshore structures;
– conducting due diligence throughout the entire supply chain.
These requirements are in line with internationally recognized standards, including the European Sustainability Reporting Standards developed by EFRAG, as well as the proposal for an EU Anti-Corruption Directive—COM(2023)0234.
Simplification through guarantees is a practical approach that combines speed and accountability. In this way, every public euro will contribute not only to strengthening defence capabilities, but also to enhancing the trust, predictability, and resilience of the European defence industry.
We are closely monitoring the process and will continue to provide our expert perspective.
Read the full text of the our statement.
Read the blog Why defence build-up fails without governance at Transparency International Defence & Security website, providing a summary of the numerous movement’s key messages, particularly regarding how defence readiness in Europe is linked to public trust.