Revista del Instituto Español de Estudios Estratégicos n.º 13 - Año: 2019 - Págs.: 243 a 274 249 Bernardo González-Lázaro Sueiras Defense cooperation between Portugal… countries, which share common threats and interests, a fact that has affected their security and defense capabilities at different levels. Due to all of this, defense cooperation within the Peninsula has undergone unprece-dented stimulus at all levels during recent decades, which started in 2008 with the first meeting of the Hispano-Luso Security and Defense Council (HLSDC)6 (EFE, 2013, 10 May) and ended when the Bayona Agreement7 came into force on 29 June, 2017. This new legal framework at the highest level includes areas such as defense policy, military cooperation, planning of capabilities, the use of forces or weaponry and de-fense industries. Upon implementing the Agreement, both countries are coordinating their international stance regarding security and defense issues8; they are jointly fight-ing against international terrorism from the Besmaya Base (Iraq); they support each other in EU Training Missions (EUTM), EUTM Mali and EUTM RCA; they jointly contribute in the creation of the European Battlegroups (EUBG) and of NATO’s Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF)9 and NATO Response Force (NRF); they coordinate logistical support to its contingents abroad and exchange operational information about areas of common interest, such as the Gulf of Guinea. This article falls within the area of the study of EU strategy, security and defense. It aims to analyze the defense cooperation being carried out by Spain and Portugal, considering its recent evolution and updating, in order to establish its convergence with the initiatives undertaken in Europe in that area and its contribution to the com-mon defense. Taking into consideration the current factors of change, the intention is to identify the key aspects that may contribute to making the bilateral project a real strategy10 of cooperation (Lykke, 1989, 3), mutually beneficial and relevant to reinforc-ing European cooperation in this area. To this end, examination is made of the most recent official communiqués and documents adopted by the institutions and States involved, as well as other relevant academic and doctrinal sources. Firstly, the current situation of common defense in the EU is dealt with, describing its recent evolution and present impetus. Next, cooperation at the sub-regional level is reviewed, outlining its opportunities and limitations, and proposing the conditions 6 The creation of the HLSDC was announced at the Hispano-Luso Summit in Badajoz in 2006. 7 Agreement between the Kingdom of Spain and the Republic of Portugal for Cooperation in Defense Matters, signed in Bayona (Pontevedra) on 22 June, 2015, ratified by Portugal on 12 October, 2016, and by Spain on 29 June 2017. 8 Exemplified in the Position Paper from Portugal and Spain presented at the Security and Defense European Council in June, 2015. In this document, Spain committed itself to head the EUBG every three year with the support of Portugal. 9 Within the EU, Portugal has confirmed its contribution to the EUBG 2019/1, headed by Spain. Within NATO, the integration of Portuguese forces with Spanish ones is expected in VJTF18 and eNRF18. 10 A strategy is composed of ends, methods and means. The ends are the objectives to be reached; the methods are the ways of organizing and applying the resources, and the means, the areas and activities of cooperation.
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