On 8th February, the French defence minister, Florence Parly, presented a bill foreseeing 295 billion euros in overall defence spending from 2019 to 2025.
On Monday 13th November 23 Member states (all except U.K., Ireland, Denmark, Malta and Portugal) approved and signed up to the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO).
An increase of 1,8 billion euros. The French National Assembly approved in first reading an increase of 1,8 billion euros in defence spending in 2018. Every year until 2022 the defence budget will increase of 1,7 billion euros in order to reach the 2% NATO
The EU's Chiefs of Defense appointed Claudio Graziano as the new Chairman of the EU Military Committee, starting November 2018, for three years. He will replace the Greek General Mikhail Kostarakos.