Britain and France should not give up on EU defence co-operation

Faced with the sustained reluctance of many European governments to improve their armed forces, the United Kingdom and France are becoming increasingly disillusioned with EU defence co-operation. But although EU defence efforts have delivered less than had been hoped, over the last decade they have spurred European countries into becoming somewhat more active in defence. And at a time of significant cutbacks in military spending on both sides of the Atlantic limited improvements are better than none.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Anglo-French co-operation. Anti-Gaddafi action gives London and Paris a common purpose http://www.europeansources.info/record/anglo-french-co-operation-anti-gaddafi-action-gives-london-and-paris-a-common-purpose/

ESO: Background information: Franco-British military cooperation: A new engine for European defence? http://www.europeansources.info/record/franco-british-military-cooperation-a-new-engine-for-european-defence/

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