A phrase that is often used to describe the relationship between the EU forces and NATO is separable, but not separate The same forces and capabilities form the basis of both EU and NATO efforts, but portions can be allocated to the European Union if necessary.

4.3 The State party also maintains that the basis of the discrimination alleged by the author is incorrect, since he does not compare two treaties but non separable parts of two treaties, in this instance the part relating to the determination of the pension by Spain.