EU security

EU security strategy to push for closer defence co-operation

Europe’s first security strategy in more than a decade is to push for closer EU defence co-operation, paving the way for multinational headquarters, military procurement and deployments to help cope with “times of existential crisis”. 

A draft version of the EU’s “global strategy” seen by the Financial Times casts serious defence integration as “the norm” that will boost the bloc’s defence industry and better project Europe’s foreign policy clout in its neighbourhood.

The paper overseen by Federica Mogherini, the EU’s foreign policy chief, is part of a multi-pronged political move towards the goal of a joint European military force, which was outlined in the Lisbon treaty but has been far from being realised. All advocates though are realistically hoping for small steps towards more combined forces. 

It comes at a time of great political uncertainty, posing both a threat and opportunity for the EU. Germany and France see a push to deepen common defence and security co-operation within the EU — long resisted by Britain — as one way to show the union has unity and purpose in the wake of the UK vote to leave the EU.