Debate and adoption of non-legislative resolutions on defence cooperation and a common defence policy

The European Parliament's foreign affairs committee endorsed on 24 October 2016 two resolutions urging the European Union to tackle deteriorating security in and around it by helping its armed forces to work together better, as a first step in building a common defence policy.

The resolutions include ideas estalishing an EU operational headquarters to plan, command and manage crisis management operations, setting a defence spending target of 2% of GDP and launching Common Defence and Security Policy training operations.

The position was endorsed by the Parliament's plenary session on 22 November.

ESO: Background information: 28 EU Defence ministers agree to move forward on European Defence http://www.europeansources.info/record/28-eu-defence-ministers-agree-to-move-forward-on-european-defence/

ESO: Background information: What chances for a real European Common Security and Defense Policy? http://www.europeansources.info/record/what-chances-for-a-real-european-common-security-and-defense-policy/

ESO: Background information: Revisiting EU Defense Is a Bad Idea http://www.europeansources.info/record/revisiting-eu-defense-is-a-bad-idea/

European Parliament: Press Release, 24.10.16: EU defence: more Nato or closer cooperation between member states? http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20161018STO47501/

European Parliament: Press Release, 22.11.16: Defence: MEPs push for more EU cooperation to better protect Europe http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20161117IPR51547/

European Parliament: Press Release, 24.11.16: Defence: why MEPs are pushing for closer cooperation http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20161118STO51800/

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