The program was joined by 25 countries. This was reported by the chairman of the European Council Donald Tusk.

According to him, today the dream becomes a reality. We launch a permanent structured cooperation, the so-called PESCO. It will become a practical expression of our will to create a European defense, "Tusk said, adding that for many years the strongest argument against PESCO was the fear that this would weaken NATO.

Now the opposite is true. Strong European defense, of course, strengthens NATO.

That's why PESCO is not only good news for us, but also good news for our allies. And bad news for our enemies, "Tusk explained..

Recall, as reported URA-Inform, December 11, 2017 the Council of the European Union approved the creation of a new program in the field of defense. The document outlines the goals and joint commitments of countries, including the regular increase in defense budgets. In addition, PESCO participants adopted a statement, welcoming the political agreement on the implementation of 17 cooperation projects.