The EU competes with NATO?

At least 20 European Union member states will sign the new defence pact for financing and development of joint military equipment next week in Brussels, in a sign of unity following Britain's decision to leave the union. 

The signing of the pact for permanent structural co-operation has been promoted by France and Germany. Following the multi-year reduction of defence budgets in Europe and support in the United States through NATO, France, Germany hope that the agreement, which will be signed on 13 November, would bring states together in a stronger co-operation in the field of defence. Along with France and Germany, so far Italy, Spain and 16 other union member states have promised to join the pact, and the agreement can officially come into force in December, when the heads of union states meet.

Other member states, including Denmark, Malta and Ireland, have not yet been publicly expressed on the issue. Britain, which plans to leave the union, will not be included in the deal. London has attempted to prevent the co-operation of union states in the field of defence, with the argument that this co-operation could result in the formation of the European Union's military.