A+ A-

EU leaders decide to boost European defence cooperation

BRUSSELS, June 22 (KUNA) -- European Union leaders decided here Thursday to strengthen Europe's security and defence to face today's challenging geopolitical environment. Speaking at a press conference after the first session of an EU summit this afternoon, the President of the European Council Donald Tusk said the leaders agreed on the need to launch an inclusive and ambitious Permanent Structured Cooperation.
"This is an historic step because such cooperation will allow the EU to move towards deeper integration in defence," he noted.
The EU leaders in a statement said they decided to strengthening EU cooperation on external security and defence so as to protect the Union and its citizens and contribute to peace and stability in its neighbourhood and beyond.
Tusk said EU leaders discussed terrorism and they agreed to deepen efforts against foreign terrorist fighters.
He said they also agreed on the need to cooperate closely with the online industry. "We are calling on social media companies to do whatever is necessary to prevent the spread of terrorist material on the internet," he added.
On his part, European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker told the joint press conference that it is necessary to create an European defence fund because Europe has 178 types of weapons systems whereas the US has only 30. Europe he, noted, has 17 types of tanks whereas the US has only one.
"We are spending half of the military budget of the US but our efficiency is 18 percent," he added.
EU leaders during their meeting later in the evening will take stock of the geopolitical situation around Europe and also discuss Brexit with UK Prime Minister Theresa May. (pickup previous) nk.rk