UK, Italy, Poland, France, Germany agree to strengthen defense cooperation

BERLIN, June 24 /TASS/. The leaders of the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Poland, and France (the E5 group) agreed to deepen defense cooperation, with a particular focus on air defense and unmanned systems, according to a joint statement issued following the E5 leaders' meeting in Berlin.

"Leaders will further strengthen the defense industrial cooperation, with a focus on air defense, unmanned systems, AI, and other capabilities including long-range firepower. They agree to accelerate their commitment to European joint development and procurement of deep precision strike capabilities," the statement, released by the German government's press service, reads.

The participants also emphasized the importance of closer defense cooperation "to deliver NATO’s capabilities, warfighting readiness and resilience essential for deterrence and defense."

The leaders of the UK, Germany, Italy, Poland, and France also reaffirmed their commitment to "a stronger European role within NATO," with Europe assuming "greater responsibility" for shared transatlantic security "coordinating closely with the US.".