On Tuesday 16 June, the Defence Ministers of the Member States officially launched work on the EU's 'strategic compass'.
"The ministers agreed to launch the development of the strategic compass to translate our level of ambition on security and defence agreed in 2016 (see EUROPE 11667/31) into even more concrete political guidelines", explained the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, at the end of the ministers' videoconference. According to Mr Borrell, this "compass" will also contribute to the development of a common European defence and security culture.
The work will begin with a threat assessment, which will be completed by the end of the year and will be used to find ways and tools to address the threats, the High Representative said.
Mr Borrell also stressed the importance of setting up an "effective" European Peace Facility before the end of the year. A facility that will have to have adequate funding, just like the European Defence Fund and military mobility, he stressed once again. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)