16/11/2021 (Agence Europe) – On Tuesday 16 November, European Defence Ministers approved a mandate permitting the European Defence Agency to enter into negotiations with the US Department of Defence, with a view to concluding an administrative agreement. “This is a clear sign of the strengthening of transatlantic defence”, said High Representative of the Union, Josep Borrell, after the Defence Council. In their declaration adopted at their summit on 15 June, the EU and the USA committed themselves “to work towards an Administrative Agreement, with discussions, including on modalities and conditions for a closer and mutually beneficial cooperation, beginning as soon as possible”. Borrell noted that these negotiations were taking place in parallel with work to launch a security and defence dialogue between the EU and the United States. (CG)