France and Germany propose reinforced defence cooperation

The Franco-German motor recently revived with a deal on CAP has entered an equally controversial field: defence. In a paper to be submitted to the Convention on the Future of Europe, foreign ministers Dominique Villepin and Joschka Fischer outline a strategy for future European security and defence policy (ESDP).

European pillar in NATO

\nBasing their proposal on the article 17 of the Amsterdam Treaty which refers to "progressive framing of a common defence policy" the Franco-Ge...