Division 2.1 The overarching level will be in charge of the coherence and credible implementation of the PESCO.

It will be based on existing structures. When the EU Foreign and Defence ministers are gathering in a joint Foreign Affairs Council /Defence meeting (usually twice per year), they could deal with PESCO issues. When the Council convenes to deal with PESCO issues, voting rights are reserved to the representatives of the participating Member States. On this occasion, participating Member States might adopt new projects by unanimity (in accordance with Article 46(6) TEU), receive assessments of participating Member States efforts, in particular those detailed in part 3 of this Annex, and could confirm the participation of another Member State by qualified majority after consulting the High Representative, in accordance with Article 46(3) TEU.

As a last resort, the Council may suspend the participation of a Member State who no longer fulfils the criteria, given beforehand a clearly defined timeframe for individual consultation and reaction measures, or is no longer able or willing to meet the PESCO commitments and obligations, in accordance with Article 46(4) TEU.

Relevant existing Council preparatory bodies will gather in ‘PESCO format’, that is with all EU Member States present, but with arrangement reflecting that only participating Member States have voting rights in the Council. PSC meetings in ‘PESCO format’ could be convened to address common matters of interest among the participating Member States, to plan and discuss projects, or to discuss new memberships in PESCO. Its work will be supported by PMG meetings in PESCO format. The EU Military Committee will also be convened in PESCO format and in particular asked for military advice. In addition informal meetings can take place with the participating Member States only.