EU signs defense pact in decades-long quest

EU signs defense pact in decades-long quest ( reuters.com )

submitted 2017-11-16T23:25 by salvia_d

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derram 2017-11-16T23:41

EU signs defense pact in decades-long quest | Reuters

'Foreign and defense ministers gathered at a signing ceremony in Brussels to represent 23 EU governments joining the pact, paving the way for EU leaders to sign it in December. '

'Despite an Anglo-French-led EU defense integration effort in 1998, Britain blocked formal collaboration on military matters, wary of the creation of an EU army. '

'The pact includes all EU governments except Britain, which is leaving the bloc, Denmark, which has opted out of defense matters, Ireland, Portugal and Malta. '

'First proposed in the 1950s and long resisted by Britain, European defense planning, operations and weapons development now stands its best chance in years as London steps aside and the United States pushes Europe to pay more for its security. '

'As the EU initiative, known as Permanent Structured Cooperation, has gained momentum, British officials have been pressing for involvement. '

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