Paris-Berlin EU Defense Proposal May Be Discussed at Bratislava Summit

The European Union is likely to discuss the Paris-Berlin collective defense initiative at the upcoming summit in Bratislava on the EU's post-Brexit future on September 16, a diplomatic source told RIA Novosti.

BRUSSELS (Sputnik) — French media reported Sunday that French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and his German counterpart Ursula von der Leyen had filed a proposal to EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini to set up the bloc's collective defense.

"It is expected that the upcoming EU summit in Bratislava will discuss joint initiative of the French and German defense ministers," the source said.

The proposal includes facilitation of EU collective defense operations, strengthening EU strategic self-sustainability and reinvigorating decisions of the European Council related to the common defense policy, particularly to build a common satellite surveillance system and to establish EU joint military headquarters.