Brussels, 26/06/2015 (Agence Europe) - EU heads of state and/or government, at their meeting in Brussels on Friday 26 June, devoted scarcely any time and barely any space in their conclusions to European defence. The weakness of ambition is confirmed, that no new precise date was set for a return to the issue being the proof, if any was needed.
Following the two-day meeting, European Council President Donald Tusk devoted only two sentences to defence: “Europeans must invest in their own defence to deal with a dramatically changed security environment. We decided that EU funds should be mobilised to help strengthen Europe's defence industry, including in research and technology”.
The heads of state and/or government were no more talkative. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who was present for part of the meeting to discuss cooperation between NATO and the EU, left the Council without saying anything. The conclusions, which incorporate security and defence, at least have the merit of saying a little more but, ultimately, are only a few lines long (see EUROPE 11342). Continuing with what is already being done is the main proposal, with a new EU strategy on foreign affairs and security policy to be prepared and submitted to the European Council by June 2016. (Jan Kordys)