The European Union on Tuesday gave the final go-ahead for the United Kingdom to participate in joint military mobility projects under the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO).
The decision confirms the UK’s first participation in a joint EU military project since leaving the EU club. The Netherlands, which is leading the initiative, has extended the formal invitation after reviewing its application, recognizing that it meets the general conditions and brings added value to the initiative.
In a statement, EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Josep Borrell has applauded the UK joining the project, noting that the war in Ukraine has highlighted the need «to be able to move troops and military equipment quickly across Europe.»
«Sharing information and experiences with key partners is crucial», he added, after indicating that the project is key to achieving these objectives and highlighting that the entry of the United Kingdom, after the United States, Canada and Norway joined last year, shows the relevance of the program.
Since its exit from the European bloc, the EU has been working to integrate the UK into the frameworks of collaboration in defense, research and academia. On several occasions Borrell had called for a «structural, permanent and agreed» cooperation, pointing out that it is «a fundamental piece in international security» but had regretted the lack of harmony to achieve it.
Precisely Brussels presented last week its plan to adapt roads, railways and other infrastructure to the movement of troops and military means, so that the European armed forces can respond better, faster and on a sufficient scale to crises that erupt on the external borders of the EU, such as the situation in Ukraine.
