PESCO open to third countries? Let's stop announcing it every 4 mornings

(B2) Regularly, we read in the press that "that's it, the permanent structured cooperation (PESCO) is going to be opened in the United Kingdom, the United States, etc." Each time, past the sensational announcement, reality takes its bearings: there is no agreement. Some media, Anglo-Saxon in particular, in particular the online media Politico, have made a specialty of these short-lived announcements which are more like a buzz shot, a good 'spin'

En January 2018, the American media announces: “ The EU's joint military pact will be open to countries outside the bloc, such as the US and UK, after Brexit, but only on a case-by-case basis citing a confidential document (1). In September 2018, again, the doors of European defense could open he announces, based on a draft decision to be debated next month... And lastly quite recently, this November 6, This time, it's sure. « The post-Brexit UK and the US could participate in projects under the EU's new military pact, while leaving China – and possibly Turkey – out”, citing a new draft proposal (of 5 pages...!). The articles are written with great talent, as our Anglo-Saxon colleagues know so well, but on the substance as on the method, one can have some doubt on the authenticity of this information, as on the objective sought: inform... or put pressure on the recalcitrant?

In reality, indeed, according to our information drawn from a good source, and without fanfare, we are not yet at the decision stage. " We are not far Of course, as a specialist in the field confided to B2. Statement confirmed by two other diplomatic sources. But the decision is not yet approved. It had very little chance of being so, according to a (very) good connoisseur of European affairs, consulted by B2 before the meeting (read our detailed paper).

Conclusion: to be 'well' informed about political Europe, its defence, its foreign policy, I have only one piece of advice: double-check your information... and read B2!

(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)

(1) The principle of 'case by case' and the 'exceptional' nature of this association are already enshrined in the decision of December 2017 establishing the general framework of PESCO (article 9). It's not super private...