Fresh start or more of the same? Defence policy at the December EU summit

EU heads-of-government are expected to discuss their military cooperation at their December summit, and their challenge will be to provide a fresh start for European defence rather than more of the same.

European taxpayers deserve a better return on their almost €200 billion investment in European defence each year; and if they wish to have influence on global affairs, Europeans are condemned to cooperate on military matters since European defence spending is falling relative to others, especially rising Asian powers such as China and India.

The summit is unlikely to deliver major new breakthroughs to join military forces, but EU leaders should agree to discuss defence policy at least once every year, paving the way for further progress.