Knowledge Tree
Permanent Structured Cooperation
Also known as: PESCO
Facts (26)
Sources
Independence play: Europe's pursuit of strategic autonomy ecfr.eu Jul 18, 2019 15 facts
claimCyprus has endorsed European Union strategic autonomy as a strategic goal and views Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) as a significant step for deepening European integration.
perspectiveFinland views 'strategic autonomy' as synonymous with deeper European security policy and defense cooperation, specifically favoring projects like Permanent Structured Cooperation, the European Defence Fund, and the Coordinated Annual Review on Defence.
claimSpain believes Europe has made progress in capability-related projects such as Permanent Structured Cooperation and bilateral initiatives.
claimPortugal views Permanent Structured Cooperation as a mechanism to reinforce the standardization, interoperability, and readiness of member states' armed forces for demanding cooperative missions.
claimIreland is involved in the European Union's Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO).
claimGreece participates in Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) because the government believes the initiative contributes to Greek national defence.
claimThe US government argued in a letter to EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini that the European Defence Fund and Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) might lead to redundancy in industrial defence programmes and interfere with NATO’s mission.
perspectiveGermany views programs like Permanent Structured Cooperation and the European Defence Fund as steps in the right direction for European strategic autonomy.
accountTwo US undersecretaries from the Department of State and the Department of Defense sent a letter to EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini criticizing the European Defence Fund and Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO).
claimMany European countries perceive Poland’s engagement with Permanent Structured Cooperation as a strategy to influence the initiative's direction and ensure that European Union defense integration does not conflict with NATO commitments.
claimRomanian elites believe the European Union has made significant progress toward European Strategic Autonomy by raising political awareness and fostering collaboration on capability-based projects like Permanent Structured Cooperation.
claimCyprus and Greece are leading a Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) project focused on intelligence education, training, and the development of new capabilities like drones.
claimItaly has merged its national guidelines on foreign policy and defence with its commitments to implement Permanent Structured Cooperation and the European Defence Fund.
claimBelgian policymakers and policy experts support the establishment of Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) to generate efficient military capabilities, though they criticize the European Union's lack of strategic vision, political will, and the budgetary challenges associated with PESCO.
claimThe EU has increased efforts to build common European defence capabilities through projects such as the European Defence Fund and Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), while the French-proposed European Intervention Initiative operates outside the EU framework.
The European Union's Strategic Autonomy, Transatlantic Shifts and ... frictions.europeamerica.de Oct 1, 2025 5 facts
claimThe European Defence Fund, Permanent Structured Cooperation, the Military Mobility Action Plan, and the White Paper for European Defence – Readiness 2030 have streamlined capability development, enhanced cross-border military logistics, and incentivized joint research and development within the European Union.
claimOver the five years preceding the article, the European Union expanded its strategic vocabulary and instruments, including the European Defence Fund (EDF), Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), the Military Mobility Action Plan, and the White Paper for European Defence – Readiness 2030.
claimOver the five years preceding the article, the European Union has expanded its strategic vocabulary and instruments, including the European Defence Fund (EDF), Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), the Military Mobility Action Plan, and the White Paper for European Defence – Readiness 2030.
claimOver the five years preceding the text, the European Commission has expanded its role in security and defense policy through mechanisms including the European Defence Fund (EDF), Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), the Military Mobility Action Plan, and the White Paper for European Defence – Readiness 2030.
claimThe European Defence Fund, Permanent Structured Cooperation, the Military Mobility Action Plan, and the White Paper for European Defence – Readiness 2030 have streamlined capability development, enhanced cross-border military logistics, and incentivized joint research and development within the European Union.
Can the European Union Reduce Dependence on the United States? cescube.com Mar 12, 2026 2 facts
Europe's quest for strategic autonomy in response to Trumpism link.springer.com Dec 8, 2025 2 facts
claimThe Council of the European Union decision on Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) aims to balance member state sovereignty with the communitarization of defense capabilities.
accountOn December 11, 2017, 25 European Union member states established 'Permanent Structured Cooperation' (PESCO), based on Article 42(6) and 46(2) of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) and Protocol No. 10.
The EU between strategic autonomy and the transatlantic relationship esisc.org 1 fact
referencePermanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) operates as a platform for groups of European Union member states to cooperate on defense capability projects.
Europe's Strategic Shift: Navigating a New Geopolitical Era kashmirtimes.com Feb 10, 2026 1 fact
claimThe European Union is pursuing defense sovereignty through initiatives including the European Defence Fund, Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), and the Rapid Deployment Capacity.