EU leaders agree to boost European defence cooperation

BRUSSELS, Dec 14 (KUNA) -- European Union leaders welcomed Thursday the launch of the permanent structured cooperation (PESCO) to strengthen defence cooperation among 25 EU member states.
"We are launching Permanent Structured Cooperation, so-called PESCO, which is a practical expression of our will to build European defence," said the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, in a press statement.
"Strong European defence naturally strengthens NATO. This is why PESCO is not only good news for us, but it is also good news for our allies. And bad news for our enemies," he added.
Meanwhile, the EU leaders in their conclusions called for the quick implementation of the first of the 17 projects identified in PESCO and urged participating Member States to deliver on their national implementation plans.
They also called for work to proceed on implementing the full set of proposals on EU-NATO cooperation.
The EU summit also adopted conclusions on social issues, education, culture and climate change.
On Friday, the 2-day EU summit concludes after discussing Brexit and economic issues. (end) nk.ibi