EU takes step towards limited defence co-operation
Arthur Beesley, Financial Times, 15.11.2016
Quotes
Aim to boost capacity for joint deployments, air security and surveillance operations
EU member states have taken their biggest step in years towards increasing defence co-ordination but stopped well short of creating a full-blown headquarters with executive powers to arm and direct common military operations. [..]
Although the initiative also seeks to use powers in the EU treaties that allow coalitions of member states to proceed with defence plans if unanimous support is lacking, observers believe rapid progress is unlikely.
When you have difficult times, you have nice Sunday talk that can then meet with political reality on Monday morning. It doesnt mean that things will not progress they do, but in very small steps, said Janis Emmanouilidis, director of studies at the European Policy Centre.
Nothing has changed in respect of the basic facts of life: when it comes to matters of life and death, member states are not ready to surrender their national sovereignty. [...]
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