The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, said, on Monday 1 February ,that without a real common strategic culture, the EU could not have a common security and defence policy.
“We need to adopt this strategic compass, forge a European strategic culture and develop a common language on security and defence. We don't have it, we don't have a European common strategic culture. Without it, it is utopian to have a common security and defence policy”, he explained at a conference organised by the Schuman Foundation.
The High Representative said the EU could do more in terms of defence. “Between the European army and what we have, there is room to do more”, he explained, recalling that of these 17 missions, only one was executive: Althea in Bosnia and Herzegovina. According to Mr Borrell, Member States could work more together, for example by using EU battle groups. So far they have never been used. “When you have an organ that you never use, it atrophies”, he warned. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)