Europe's defence structure is taking shape. The EU in December 2017 launched a "permanent structured cooperation" on defence agreement (PESCO) across 25 countries to stimulate the development of military projects and the design of common defence equipment. As the United Kingdom and its powerful army prepare to leave the EU, new challenges to the security of the continent are emerging with the Islamist threat, growing tensions with Russia and pressure from migration. With this new common defence structure, will European countries redefine their relations with NATO? Will the EU live up to these new challenges?
Defence and security
A continent's preparations for a world of challenges
NATO summit in crisis over Trump spending demands
NATO leaders hold emergency talks at their Brussels summit after US President Donald Trump demanded allies immediately increase defence spending, throwing the meeting into crisis.
Defence spending by NATO members
A row over how much NATO members spend on defence is set to overshadow a summit of alliance leaders, with US President Donald Trump poised to tell allies in blunt terms to boost their military budgets.
Trump, EU exchange barbs over defence spending ahead of NATO summit
NATO allies have pledged to spend 2 per cent of gross domestic product on defence, a goal that only eight of them are expected to reach this year.
EU Commission wants 13-billion-euro budget for joint arms research
The European Commission proposes major funding increase to boost the bloc's defence capabilities.
NATO military spendings
NATO countries spent 2.43 per cent of their average gross domestic product on defence in 2017.
The Schengen Agreement
In 1984 France and Germany agreed to gradually dismantle their joint borders. In the same year Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands did the same.