23 EU countries sign defense pact on permanent structured cooperation

Attendees pose for group photos after signing a pact on joint defense cooperation at the headquarters of the European Council in Brussels, Belgium, Nov. 13, 2017. Defense ministers of 23 EU member states Monday signed a pact on joint defense cooperation and handed it over to EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini. According to a statement released by Mogherini's foreign affairs council, the pact on the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) foresees the possibility of a number of EU member states working more closely together in the area of security and defense.(Xinhua/European Union)