15/10/2018 (Agence Europe) – On Monday 15 October, the Council of the EU adopted a recommendation defining the different stages in completion of the most binding commitments taken as part of permanent structured cooperation (CSP-PESCO) and determining more specific objectives. The recommendation provides guidelines on the definition of different stages in completing such engagement for 2018-2020 and 2021-2025, and also defines more precise objectives for each individual engagement. In addition, it defines indicators of progress to help the 25 member states taking part in common security policy to plan fulfilment of the most binding commitments, and to facilitate assessment of progress made in this respect. The recommendation will be re-examined and updated, where necessary, at the beginning of the second phase, i.e. in 2021. (CG)