Europe’s decades-long intention to create an integrated defence force moved a step closer yesterday after 23 EU governments signed a pact to fund, develop and deploy joint armed forces.
First proposed in the 1950s, an integrated defence policy had long been blocked by Britain. But with the UK set to the leave the bloc and the US pushing Europe to pay more for its security, hopes for unified European defence planning, operations and weapons development “now stands its best chance in years”, says Reuters.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
It also reports that unlike previous Franco-German-led efforts towards integration, the new initiative is supported by Nato, boosting its chances of success.
Speaking in Brussels, Germany’s foreign minister Sigmar Gabriel told reporters the deal represented a “historic step” and “a milestone in European development”.
Supporters of further integration say it will give the EU a more coherent and comprehensive role in tackling international crises while also making it less reliant on the US for logistical support.
The EU initiative, known as Permanent Structured Cooperation, will be backed by a $5bn-a-year defence fund for buying weapons, a fund to finance operations and money from the EU’s common budget for defence research. A national review system will also identify weak spots in European armies with the goal of plugging them.
Despite Brexit, British aerospace and defence firms are pushing for involvement in the initiative amid fears they will lose out to European competitors. While full involvement is unlikely, “in a possible compromise, Britain may be able to join in, but only on an exceptional basis if it provides substantial funds and expertise”, says Reuters.
-
August 24 editorial cartoonsCartoons Sunday's political cartoons include Putin at Donald Trump's circus, gallons of whitewash, and a foldable cartoon
-
5 Post Office-approved cartoons about mail-in votingCartoons Artists take on reverse logic, Putin's election advice, and more
-
The battle of the weight-loss drugsTalking Point Can Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly regain their former stock market glory? A lot is riding on next year's pills
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
On VE Day, is Europe alone once again?Today's Big Question Donald Trump's rebranding of commemoration as 'Victory Day for World War Two' underlines breakdown of post-war transatlantic alliance
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designationThe Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
-
Inside the Israel-Turkey geopolitical dance across SyriaTHE EXPLAINER As Syria struggles in the wake of the Assad regime's collapse, its neighbors are carefully coordinating to avoid potential military confrontations
-
'Like a sound from hell': Serbia and sonic weaponsThe Explainer Half a million people sign petition alleging Serbian police used an illegal 'sound cannon' to disrupt anti-government protests
-
The arrest of the Philippines' former president leaves the country's drug war in disarrayIn the Spotlight Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by the ICC earlier this month
