Brussels. December 3. INTERFAX - US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and EU Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrel welcomed the establishment of structural cooperation between the US and the EU in the field of defense.
"Both of them welcome the approval by the governing Council of the European Defense Agency of the mandate to negotiate an administrative agreement with the United States and express their common commitment to the desire for an early conclusion of negotiations," the joint statement of the heads of the two foreign ministries said on Friday evening.
Blinken and Borrel reaffirmed the long-term partnership between the US and the EU, their "common commitment to transatlantic security and countering common security challenges."
"They recognize the importance of a stronger and more effective European defense, which contributes to global and transatlantic security, and recall the need to develop coordinated, complementary and compatible (defense) capabilities, advocate for maximum U.S. participation in EU defense initiatives," the statement says.
