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RESEARCH PRODUCT

The emergence of supranationalism and intergovernmentalism in European defence cooperation : the role of PESCO and its Secretariat

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Master's thesis in Political science and management (ME502) For a long time,theEuropean Union’s(EU) member states have meticulously ring-fenced defence cooperation vis-à-vis the potential intrusion of supranationalism. Thus, defence cooperation has been conceived as perhaps the most central part of core state powers in Europe. Has this changed since member states have agreed to establish the so-called Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) in 2017? Cleary, PESCO has developed bothas a more structuredand legally ‘binding’cooperation in defence mattersamongst participating member states, such as defence procurement, training and capability development.Yet, the jury is out for as to whether there are ‘more’ supranational principles enshrined in policies, governance rules, decision-making and day-to-day practices, or whether intergovernmentalism with its emphasis on the sovereign (member) state calls the tone in EU defence. Asa facilitatorfor cooperation, the PESCOSecretariathas been established in order tofunction as a focal point of communication and overall support atthe interface of EU ‘bodies’, such asthe European Defence Agency (EDA) and the European External Action Service (EEAS), and the participating member states.