Last June, the Council of the EU tabled adoption of conditions for the exceptional participation of non-EU countries in Permanent Structured Cooperation (PSC or PESCO) projects, but divisions among member states on the conditions, along with the Brexit negotiations, might delay the decision.
In a conclusions document adopted at the end of June (see EUROPE 12048), the Council counted adopting a decision, in principle in November, on the general conditions for third countries exceptionally participating in PSC projects and asked for work to this end to begin immediately.
We have time, there is no rush, said a European source on Thursday 11 October. A diplomat added that they were negotiating at the Council and had not decided about third country participation.
In an interview with French news agency AFP, Portuguese defence minister José Alberto Azeredo Lopes summarised the situation, saying the devil was still in the detail and that it is very easy to underscore consensus on third country participation, but very difficult to define the conditions for it.
France, Germany, Italy and Spain want the countries participating in PSC projects to share the same ambition as Europeans for developing Defence Europe. A European source explained that PSC was something political that makes it possible to boost Defence Europe. Exceptionally, on a case-by-case basis, it is open to third countries, but they have to share European objectives. The source talked about not being sure that it was in Europe’s interest to open up a project to a country that does not want to reinforce European defence, adding that if there has to be third country participation, it should help boost Defence Europe and have a real value-added.
AFP says a group of 13 member states would favour a more inclusive approach.
Another difficulty is the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the EU. A European source said it was linked to Brexit and negotiator Michel Barnier is in broad talks with support of the EU27. When it becomes a third country, the UK might want to participate in PSC projects. The diplomat explained that one should not pre-empt Brexit by signing agreements left and right. In a speech on 10 October, Barnier said that there was a convergence of positions between the EU and the UK on future relations in terms of domestic security, foreign policy and military cooperation.
Agreement on new projects in November
The agreement on third countries can wait, but the member states are expected at the Foreign Affairs Council or the Defence Council on 19 and 20 November to agree on a new list of projects to be developed within the PSC framework (see EUROPE 12085). The diplomat added that there should be slightly more than ten projects. Thus projects on MALE (Medium Altitude Long Endurance) drones, the renewal of Tigre helicopters, the development of land missiles or a project connected with equipment for fighting nuclear, radiological, biological and chemical arms might be adopted.
Meanwhile, the EU's foreign ministers will adopt on Monday 15 October the decision defining the various stages in the realisation of more binding commitments made in the framework of the PSC. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)