At last, the stars are aligned for European defence

Writer suggests that in May 2017 it is beginning to look as though the the European defence ‘project’ and the concept of ring-fencing or reserving a portion of national budgets to be spent collaboratively on defence might finally get airborne - particularly in the context of renewed hopes for effective Franco-German cooperation following the inauguration of Emmanuel Macron as President of France.

A European Commission paper on the future of European defence, in the context of the March 2017 White Paper on the Future of Europe, was published in June 2017.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: 'EU remains committed to strengthen security and defence': Council adopts Conclusions, May 2017 http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-remains-committed-to-strengthen-security-and-defence-council-adopts-conclusions/

ESO: Background information: Commission debates future of European defence, May 2017 http://www.europeansources.info/record/commission-debates-future-of-european-defence/

ESO: Background information: Security Autonomy for Europe? (ELN Commentary, April 2017) http://www.europeansources.info/record/security-autonomy-for-europe/

Deutsche Welle, 30.05.17: What would Europe's 'fate' be without the US? http://p.dw.com/p/2drCm

ESO: Background Information: Must Europe emancipate itself from the US? http://www.europeansources.info/record/must-europe-emancipate-itself-from-the-us-whats-in-store-for-us-european-relations/

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