EU defense ministers agree to closer military cooperation

European Union Defence Ministers agreed in December 2010 to increase cross-border cooperation, to ease the impact of austerity measures on military capabilities. Germany and Sweden have drawn up a plan to make that more likely.

European Defence Ministers agreed that the European Defence Agency’s activities on Pooling and Sharing of national military capabilities should be enhanced. In addition to successful existing projects – such as improving helicopters availability, air transport, third party logistics support and airworthiness – more pooling and sharing opportunities exist in areas like satellite communications, medical support and naval logistics. In many cases pooling and sharing also offers opportunities for civil-military dual-use.

• Primary Source

EDA: Press Release, 9.12.10: European Defence Agency seeking savings through pooling and sharing http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/esdp/118386.pdf

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