PESCO is a Treaty-based framework and process to deepen defense cooperation amongst EU Member States who are capable and willing to do so. The aim is to jointly develop defense capabilities and make them available for EU military operations. The difference between PESCO and other forms of co-operation is in the legally binding nature of the commitments by States wishing to participate[1]. The legal basis of PESCO is in Article 42 and 46[2] of the Treaty of the European Union, and in Protocol 10[3].

On 13 November 2017, Ministers from 23 Member States signed a joint notification on PESCO and handed it over to the High Representative and the Council. On 11 December 2017, the Council adopted a decision establishing permanent structured cooperation. From 6 March 2018 to 20 November 2018, 34 projects were put in place to have a European Medical Command, an EU Training Mission Competence Centre, Cyber Rapid Response Teams, Mutual Assistance in Cyber Security, Military Disaster Relief or an upgrade of Maritime Surveillance to the creation of an European Military Space Surveillance Awareness Network and a joint EU Intelligence School[5].

Towards a stronger EU on security and defence[6]

Maria Elena Argano

For further information:

[1] European Council Website, Permanent Structured Cooperation https://cdn5-eeas.fpfis.tech.ec.europa.eu/cdn/farfuture/wM5QZfoVgVbC4zSzD-u–

[2] Treaty of the European Union: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/resource.html?uri=cellar:2bf140bf-a3f8-4ab2-b506-fd71826e6da6.0002.02/DOC_1&format=PDF

[3] Versions consolidées du Traité sur l’Union européenne et du Traité sur le fonctionnement de l ?union européenne : https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/FR/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:C:2012:326:FULL&from=FR

[4] EEAS Website, Towards a stronger EU on security and defence: https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/35285/node/35285_en

[5] Ibidem

[6] Ibidem