BRATISLAVA: Britain will oppose all EU plans for increased military cooperation that could interfere with NATO, despite being about to leave the union, Defense Minister Michael Fallon said Tuesday. “We are going to continue to oppose any idea of an EU army or an EU army headquarters which would simply undermine NATO,” Fallon said at a meeting with his 27 counterparts in Bratislava, where European Union leaders earlier this month agreed to step up joint military efforts. They agreed on a six-month roadmap to create a new “vision” for the EU, including beefed up defense cooperation, which Britain has always opposed. Fallon insisted however that Britain would continue to contribute to European defense as a member of NATO. “We are leaving the European Union but we remain committed to the security of Europe and putting more troops into Estonia or Poland next year.” AFPAFP/CC

Source: Manila Times September 27, 2016 07:41 UTC