In its efforts to promote a systematic approach towards Pooling & Sharing, EDA proposed and Ministers adopted on 19 November 2012 the “Code of Conduct on Pooling & Sharing”. This comprises a series of actions to support cooperative efforts of EU Member States to develop defence capabilities. The actions herein are aimed at mainstreaming Pooling & Sharing in Member States’ planning and decision-making processes. They are to be implemented on a national and voluntary basis, in line with defence policies of Member States.
The main pillars of the code are:
To systematically consider cooperation from the outset in national defence planning of Member States for the whole life-cycle of a capability, including cooperation in R&T.
Investment. To endeavour to accord Pooling & Sharing projects a higher degree of protection from potential cuts. To take advantage of synergies with wider European policies, including regulatory frameworks, standards and certification.
Coherence. EDA functions as a platform for information exchange to avoid gaps or duplication, to share expertise and best practises and to increase transparency.
Assessment. EDA will submit to Defence Ministers an annual state of play of Pooling & Sharing on the status of current initiatives, new opportunities and an analysis of the capability situation in Europe.
More information
- EDA Pooling & Sharing Code of Conduct
Pictures credit: Council of the European Union