EU countries to launch military crisis force

The European Intervention Initiative is a planned military force intended for rapid deployment to deal with crises near Europe’s borders, allowing member countries to act independently of NATO and EU structures


EUROPEAN INTERVENTION INITIATIVE (EII) COALITION

1 France: Initiative championed by President Emmanuel Macron
2 Britain: EII would allow strong defence ties with EU to be maintained after Brexit
3 Germany
4 Spain
5 Netherlands
6 Belgium
7 Portugal
8 Denmark
9 Estonia
10 Italy: May possibly join, yet to make final decision

EII members 	NATO members
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10


Role: Members expected to deploy troops and coordinate planning to counter threats to Europe – such as natural disasters, crisis intervention and evacuation of nationals

Effectiveness: Small group of countries, outside of framework that governs EU and NATO action, could potentially react more quickly

Existing forces: Since 2007, EU has had four multinational military “battlegroups” – with about 1,500 troops each – but they have never been deployed


French troops during military exercise in Côte d’Ivoire


Sources: AFP, European External Action Service 
Picture: Getty Images 
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