Germany, UK commit to strengthening bilateral defense cooperation

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - Germany and the UK on Wednesday announced a commitment to strengthen their bilateral defense cooperation.

A joint declaration on "Enhanced Defense Cooperation" between the two countries highlighted the importance of closer defense cooperation as a foundational step in fostering a renewed relationship between Germany and the UK.

The defense chiefs will explore various opportunities, including nurturing and promoting the European defense industrial base, fostering joint procurement initiatives, enhancing interoperability, and advancing research and development efforts to boost capability production and technological innovation, according to the declaration.

They pledged to strengthen NATO, enhance complementary cooperation between NATO and the EU, renew dialogue among Allies, and support collective actions within international forums, it said.