The heads of state or government of the European Union countries announced, on Thursday 16 December, that the EU would strengthen its autonomy in terms of defence, while tightening its cooperation with the Atlantic Alliance.
“In the face of increased global instability, growing strategic competition and complex security threats, the EU will take more responsibility for its own security and in the field of defence, pursue a strategic course of action and increase its capacity to act autonomously”, the conclusions state.
According to the leaders, the EU, in particular, will reinforce its resilience and preparedness to tackle security threats and challenges effectively.
French President Emmanuel Macron said it was important to have a “stronger and more operational European defence”.
An idea taken up by the ‘Strategic Compass’, the final version of which is expected to be adopted in March 2022, at a European Council where security and defence will be discussed again.
The European Council also said it was waiting for the presentation of the technology roadmap and invited the European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, to make any further proposals necessary, “including on security, cyber and the fight against hybrid threats”.
While the EU wants to be more autonomous, it also wants to continue its close cooperation with NATO, respecting, inter alia, the principles of “inclusiveness, reciprocity and decision making autonomy of the EU”. “NATO is fundamental to European defence”, said Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas.
“In favour of” strengthening the strategic partnership, the European Council wants the third joint declaration on EU-NATO cooperation to address new threats and challenges. The Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, said he hoped that this declaration would be adopted “as soon as possible before March” in view of the Alliance’s summit in Madrid at the end of June 2022.
See the conclusions: https://bit.ly/3E6yKa2 (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant with the editorial staff)