The European Union and the United States signed on Wednesday a formal framework for cooperation in defense matters, which provides for an increased exchange of information between the European Defense Agency and the Pentagon.
»The agreement confirms the value of the transatlantic security and defense partnership in meeting shared security challenges, and the importance of a stronger and more capable European defense that is complementary and interoperable with NATO,» the EDA said in a statement.
In this regard, Brussels and Washington consider that this framework represents a »strong political signal» in line with the enhanced cooperation agreed at the U.S.-EU summit in June 2021.
EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Josep Borrell said that at a time when war has returned to Europe, the bloc »needs to open up any avenues of cooperation with close partners. »This agreement provides another pillar to strengthen transatlantic cooperation and the bond between the EU and the United States,» he said.
On Washington’s side, the head of the Pentagon, Lloyd Austin, pointed out that the cooperation framework signed on Wednesday is a sign of strengthening the relationship between the United States and the European bloc.
»Dialogue and contact will contribute to transatlantic and global security. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine underlines the importance of the strong ties between the United States and Europe in NATO and with the European Union,» he stressed, stressing that this agreement strengthens the strategic alliance »for the future.»
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
