Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO)

Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO)
Name	Permanent Structured Cooperation
Long name	Permanent Structured Cooperation on Defence
Caption	PESCO operates under the framework of the European Union.
Type	Defence cooperation framework
Date drafted	13 November 2017
Date signed	11 December 2017
Location signed	Brussels
Date effective	11 December 2017
Parties	26 EU member states
Depositor	General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union
Languages	All 24 official languages of the European Union

Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO). It is a pivotal framework for deepening defence collaboration within the European Union, established under the provisions of the Treaty of Lisbon. Launched in 2017, it represents a binding commitment by participating member states to jointly develop defence capabilities and enhance the operational readiness of their armed forces. This initiative aims to strengthen the European Union as a security actor and contribute to the Common Security and Defence Policy.

Overview and Legal Basis

The legal foundation for this framework is enshrined in Article 42.6 and the detailed Protocol 10 of the Treaty of Lisbon. The formal activation process was initiated by a joint notification from 23 member states to the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the Council of the European Union. This action was subsequently endorsed by a unanimous decision of the Council of the European Union in December 2017. The establishment followed a period of renewed focus on European security after events like the Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation and strategic discussions outlined in the Global Strategy for the European Union's Foreign and Security Policy. The framework operates in close coordination with other EU defence instruments, notably the European Defence Fund and the Coordinated Annual Review on Defence.

Objectives and Principles

The primary aims are to jointly develop critical defence capabilities, increase defence expenditure in a coordinated manner, and enhance the interoperability and readiness of national armed forces. Binding commitments, outlined in a common set of rules, require participants to regularly increase defence budgets, contribute to multinational forces, and harmonize requirements. Key principles include ambitious and more binding cooperation, adherence to commonly agreed benchmarks, and the development of projects that fill strategic capability gaps. These efforts are designed to directly support missions under the Common Security and Defence Policy and strengthen the European Union's technological and industrial base.

Projects and Participation

As of 2024, 26 EU member states participate, with Denmark having joined following a change in its defence opt-out after the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. Notable non-participants are Malta. The framework has launched over 60 collaborative projects across various domains. These include major initiatives like the Eurodrone, the European Patrol Corvette, the European Medical Command, and the Military Mobility project aimed at streamlining cross-border military transport. Other significant undertakings involve cyber defence, such as the Cyber Rapid Response Teams, and space-based surveillance through the IRIS² satellite constellation.

Governance and Decision-Making

Overall political oversight resides with the Council of the European Union, which adopts decisions by unanimity among participating states. The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, currently Josep Borrell, plays a central role in chairing meetings and presenting proposals. Day-to-day coordination and support are provided by the European External Action Service and the European Defence Agency. Project management is typically led by a small group of member states acting as "project coordinators," who report progress to the Council of the European Union. The framework's progress is regularly assessed against the binding commitments.

Relationship with NATO and the EU

The framework is explicitly designed to be complementary to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and is required to avoid unnecessary duplication. It operates under the principle of "coherence, synergy, and complementarity" with NATO, recognizing the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as the primary foundation for collective defence for its members. The initiative strengthens the European pillar of NATO and aims to enable the European Union to act autonomously in crises where the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as a whole is not engaged. It is a core component of the Common Security and Defence Policy and is financially supported by the European Defence Fund.

Challenges and Criticisms

Key challenges include ensuring equitable burden-sharing among participants, overcoming fragmented national defence procurement systems, and achieving true strategic autonomy amidst differing national priorities. Critics, including some officials in Washington, D.C., have occasionally expressed concerns about potential duplication with NATO and the diversion of resources. Internally, debates persist regarding the level of ambition, the integration of defence industries, and the framework's ability to deliver deployable capabilities swiftly. The inclusion of members with varying strategic cultures, from the Visegrád Group to the Nordic countries, also presents a continuous test for consensus-building.

Category:European Union defence policy Category:Military alliances Category:2017 in international relations