Bridging the Channel; British – French Defense Cooperation as the Core

With the United States shifting its strategic focus to the Asia-Pacific area and national defence budgets being cut, European defence cooperation has become a matter of necessity.

France and the United Kingdom (UK) have taken the lead. They acted as Europe's avant garde during the military intervention in Libya. The Lancaster House treaty of 2010 brings their capabilities together in a structural manner. Franco-British defence cooperation is crucial for the future of Europe's military power, which other European countries seem, so far, to be ignoring.

When joining European-led interventions these countries' forces will have to operate with the core provided by Paris and London. The Benelux countries and others need to align their plans and initiatives to ensure connectivity. At the same time, France and the UK should be ready to open up their bilateral programmes to other European partners, with a pragmatic approach and on the basis of concrete contributions from these other countries.

• Primary Source

ESO:Background Information http://www.europeansources.info/record/anglo-french-co-operation-anti-gaddafi-action-gives-london-and-paris-a-common-purpose/

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