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EU defense integration advancing fast: foreign policy chief

Xinhua, April 27, 2017 Adjust font size:

Defense is one of the fields where EU integration is advancing the most, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said Thursday at the informal meeting of EU Defense Ministers in Malta.

The need to be consistent and move forward on EU defense and security cooperation is very relevant as a demand is seen for this work, she added.

The different fields were reviewed on the move forward, mainly permanent structure cooperation, synchronization of defense budgets and EU defense action plan to finance both research and capability.

Maltese Minister Carmelo Abela for National Security and Home Affairs added that there is a proposal for a European Defense Fund.

The Ministers also examined the promotion of the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) in the field of Defense.

Further decisions on this and the coordination of defense budgets will be further decided upon on the 18th of May.

"With crises around us, a rapid reaction force that might be deployed in some areas has also been deemed necessary," added Mogherini.

The rapid response, Toolbox needs to be strengthened, including the EU battle-groups to reinforce their effective financing, added Abela. Endit