Britain cannot afford to neglect EU defence efforts

Britain's Conservative leaders should not let their wariness over the role of a supranational institution in EU defence policy blind them to the synergies that the EDA and other initiatives could facilitate. All significant decisions regarding defence matters continue to rest firmly with the member-states. Recently the US government - worried about the continued deterioration of European armed forces - has become more supportive of EU defence co-operation. The Obama administration encourages any initiative that could minimise the damage from defence budget cuts. The British government should adopt the same attitude. The EU has only made modest contributions to improving European military capabilities. But at a time of renewed cut-backs in defence spending across Europe, Britain and its partners cannot afford to neglect a key framework available for exploring joint cost-saving projects.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: UK and France to sign formal defence treaty http://www.europeansources.info/record/uk-and-france-to-sign-formal-defence-treaty/

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