The Netherlands and Germany have agreed on an "extensive" cooperation of their military forces, the countries' defense ministers announced this week, according to dpa. Dutch Defense Minister Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert and German counterpart Thomas de Maiziere revealed Tuesday at the Berlin Strategy Conference the two countries will expand military cooperation, including the integration of the Netherlands' 11 Airmobile Brigade with the new German Schnelle Krafte paratrooper commando division. The German unit, to become operational next year, will share a control structure with the Dutch force while the two will remain stationed at their current locations under the new declaration of intent. "The German and Dutch armed forces are ready to take their cooperation to an unprecedented level of integration," Hennis-Plasschaert said. "It entails the harmonization of requirements, procedures, education and training." Calling it "of the utmost importance," the Dutch minister praised the integration move as indication that Europe is taking more responsibility for its own security at a time when the United States is shifting its focus to the Pacific. "If we want the United States to remain the indispensable partner in European security it has been for over 65 years, we have to carry our share of the burden, including the risks," she said.
