We should join this

Political reports:

The European Union and Australia overnight announced they would start negotiating a “Security and Defence Partnership” and noted their commitment to “advancing free trade negotiations.”

In a statement announcing the planned defense partnership, the European Commission said it “will provide a framework for current and future cooperation including in areas such as defence industry, cyber and counter-terrorism.” But Brussels stressed the future pact “does not have military deployment obligations.”

This is a very good idea, and one NZ may want to emulate (or join). It is apparent the US is no longer a reliable security partner. NATO is effectively defunct (as Trump has said he will not unconditionally help NATO allies who are attacked), so we need new security alliances. These shouldn’t be obligations to defend, but advancing mutual interests, sharing technology and ensuring forces can deploy together.