EU leaders seal military cooperation

brussels - The Heads of Government of the EU countries on Thursday did not want the recent decision to cooperate structurally in the field of defense to pass by without a festive ceremony. For a large panel, they took a comprehensive photograph at their summit in Brussels, in the presence of soldiers in a rich variety of uniforms.

'A dream becomes reality,' said EU President Donald Tusk. 'This is good news for our allies and bad news for our enemies. '

The so-called permanent structural cooperation (PESCO) for the time being consists of seventeen projects, for which groups have signed countries. The Netherlands is participating in seven projects.

Prime Minister Mark Rutte emphasized that European cooperation does not replace NATO. 'It is a way for the EU to use our resources better. 'He said that the Dutch PESCO proposal' to get military personnel and equipment much faster from one country to another than in the past 'sets in motion a lot.

NATO CEO Jens Stoltenberg spoke of 'an important day for European defense. '