Germany, Poland and France signed an agreement on July 5 to create a new 1,700-strong EU battle group, to be ready for action in 2013.

Common defense policy is important to Poland, and this agreement to create the Weimar Combat Group came just days after Poland assumed the rotating EU presidency.

Under current policy, the European Union keeps two battle groups on standby, and each battle group is on duty for six months. They are designed to be deployed with 15 days’ notice.

Poland will command the Weimar Combat Group, with logistical support from Germany and medical support from France.

Germany is also involved in Battle Group 107 with Finland and the Netherlands.

These battle groups may be a small beginning for European defense cooperation, but it will grow. Poland may command the Weimar Combat Group, but thanks to a 2009 German high court decision, any deployment of German troops must be approved by the German Parliament. On paper, the European Council decides on the deployment of battle groups, but the high court’s decision means Germany can veto the deployment of any battle group it is involved in.

These battle groups are the thin edge of the wedge. They are small enough that the German military can get involved without stirring any memories of World War ii. But now that the precedent of cooperation is set, the EU will be able to expand its military capabilities. A major crisis could cause it to do this very quickly without raising many hackles.