brussels france germany edge toward achieve 70-year-old ambition integrate european defenses monday sign pact 21 eu governments fund develop deploy arm force britain decision quit bloc first propose 1950s long resist britain european defense plan operations weapons development stand best chance years london step aside unite state push europe pay security foreign defense minister gather sign ceremony brussels represent 23 eu governments join pact pave way eu leaders sign december governments first time legally bind joint project well pledge increase defense spend contribute rapid deployments today take historic step germany foreign minister sigmar gabriel tell reporters agree future cooperation security defense issue ... really milestone european development say pact include eu governments except britain leave bloc denmark opt defense matter ireland portugal malta traditionally neutral austria late addition pact paris originally want vanguard eu countries bring money assets french-led military missions project berlin seek inclusive could reduce effectiveness backers say successful formal club 23 members give european union coherent role tackle international crises end kind shortcomings see libya 2011 european ally rely unite state air power munition unlike past attempt u.s.-led nato alliance back project aim benefit strong militaries club back 5-billion-euro defense fund buy weapons special fund finance operations money eu common budget defense research members also require submit national plan subject review system identify weak spot european armies goal plug gap together many governments say russia seizure ukraine crimea 2014 turn point years defense spend cut leave europe without vital capabilities commitment countries good together french foreign minister jean-yves le drian say come time significant tension say refer indirectly russia rise military reach islamic militants attack european cities despite anglo-french-led eu defense integration effort 1998 britain block formal collaboration military matter wary creation eu army defense integration revive france germany support italy spain show unity britons vote leave eu june 2016. eu struggle military humanitarian missions balkans libya africa past 20 years catch guard russia crimea annexation eu initiative know permanent structure cooperation gain momentum british officials press involvement britain aerospace industry big defense firm bae systems baes.l fear lose diplomats say british foreign secretary boris johnson liken london support gothic architecture say like fly buttress support cathedral tell reporters possible compromise britain may able join exceptional basis provide substantial fund expertise eu sign defense pact decades-long quest