The EU High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, presented his draft ‘Strategic Compass’ (see EUROPE 12763/26) to the College of Commissioners on Wednesday 10 November.
This document is a “proposal from the High Representative, following numerous consultations”, he explained during a meeting with some journalists, including EUROPE, on Monday 8 November. Based on a risk analysis and drafted since September, it is described by Mr Borrell as ‘a guide to action’.
This “guide for preparation, decision and action” proposes “concrete ideas” to “act more quickly and decisively in a crisis, protect our citizens against rapidly evolving threats, invest in the capabilities and technologies we need and partner with others to achieve common goals”, the High Representative details in his foreword.
Speaking to the media, Mr Borrell explained that his starting point was that the EU should be a “security provider” and that Europeans wanted to be protected by the EU.
“Europe is in danger”, he warned, explaining that the EU’s economic space, as well as its strategic and political space, was “increasingly challenged”.
Thus, according to the head of European diplomacy, “being a soft power when everything is instrumentalised is not enough”. “It is clear that if you want dialogue, diplomacy and multilateralism to succeed, you have to put power behind it”, he added.
Beyond strategic autonomy, a new concept in vogue within the EU, the High Representative emphasised “strategic responsibility”.
Be able to deploy quickly
For him, it is necessary to have the capacity to act. For this, Mr Borrell relies on ‘rapid deployment capabilities’, which he had previously called ‘first entry forces’ (see EUROPE 12714/5). “This should allow us to mobilise interoperable modules that will allow us to deploy troops”, he explained, citing a maximum of 5,000 troops. These modules would be land, sea and air based.
“What is important is to have the capabilities to deploy - it would not be a pre-established force, but different modules that can be combined to face each specific challenge”, Mr Borrell said, explaining that the mission should determine the forces used, not the other way around. There would be no standing force.
These forces could be used in conflict situations “to come between people who are fighting”, to secure an airport or to carry out evacuation operations.
According to a European source, the aim is for them to be operational by 2025. Decision-making on these forces will remain unanimous, in accordance with Article 44 TFEU.
Mr Borrell did not want to repeat the mistakes made with the EU battlegroups, which had never been used and never trained together. It therefore relies on regular joint exercises of the forces.
In addition, the EU High Representative considers that there is a need to develop a set of new generation capabilities: the unmanned maritime platform, the future air combat system, the space-based earth observation capability and the main battle tank, as defined by the latest Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD) (see EUROPE 12606/2).
Combating hybrid and cyber threats
Beyond what could be defined as ‘conventional’ conflicts, Mr Borrell wants to strengthen the EU’s response to hybrid and cyber threats. He wants to develop a ‘hybrid tool box’, which will bring together instruments to deal with a large number of threats. “We must prevent, detect and respond to them”, he added.
It also wants to define a cyber defence policy to respond to cyber attacks.
The EU must also ensure the defence and security of space, which is, according to Mr Borrell, “the new battlefield”.
Mr Borrell also advocated the creation of a Defence Innovation Hub within the European Defence Agency.
Finally, if the EU wants to move forward on its own, it still relies on cooperation. The High Representative stressed the importance of developing multilateral partnerships, with NATO and the United Nations, as well as bilateral partnerships, notably with the United States, Norway and Canada. It even proposes the creation of a forum on security and defence partnership “to work closely and effectively” to develop partnerships around the world.
The ball is in the court of the Member States
Member States will now have to decide on the High Representative’s proposals. The ‘Strategic Compass’ will be discussed by the Foreign and Defence Ministers on Monday 15 November and then by the Heads of State or Government in December.
The aim is to adopt the final document in March 2022.
“Now it is up to the Member States to decide on the level of ambition”, said Mr Borrell. If the document is not a compromise of the EU-27, “it would be stupid to present a plane that cannot fly”, he explained, while admitting that “it is not something I have watered down to make it drinkable for everyone”. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)