EU security and defence: Council sets out five main priorities
The Council approved conclusions on EU security and defence in a context of an unprecedented combination of threats and challenges, such as Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, and increased tensions in the Middle East, the Sahel and other areas of the world.
Since the start of Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine in February 2022, and based on the Strategic Compass, as well as the Versailles Declaration in March 2022, the EU's role as a security and defence actor has been significantly strengthened. The EU nonetheless needs to further increase its defence readiness and enhance its sovereignty.
In its conclusions, the Council sets out five main priorities for the coming period that members states are called on to implement as a matter of urgency:
EU’s unwavering support to Ukraine
The EU is ever more steadfast in its support to Ukraine’ independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. In order to continue providing Ukraine and its people with all the necessary political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support for as long as it takes and as intensely as needed, the EU will use all tools at its disposal, including the recently established Ukraine Assistance Fund as part of the European Peace Facility (EPF) and training and advice through the European Union Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine). The upcoming signature of the EU’s security commitments to Ukraine is also highlighted, as well as ongoing efforts to address Ukraine’s urgent needs, notably ammunition, missiles, air defence and artillery systems, and drones.
Spend more and better together
The Council conclusions stress the need to ensure the availability of defence products, and strengthen the EU's Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB) so that it is able to provide for the needs of member states’ armed forces, and partners where necessary. In this context, the Council also stresses the vital need to improve access to public and private finance for the EDTIB, and supports the strengthening of cooperation, leading to progressive integration of the Ukrainian defence technological and industrial base into the EDTIB.
Increase the EU’s ability to act
The Council welcomes the important work of all civilian and military CSDP missions and operations in various parts of the world, including the recent launch of EUNAVFOR ASPIDES which already delivered operational results.
The Council also recalls the importance of the EPF as a global instrument in support of EU CFSP/CSDP objectives, allowing for targeted security and defence assistance in response to the needs of partner countries.
Furthermore, the Council encourages member states to further contribute to the full operationalisation of the EU Rapid Deployment Capacity by 2025, and to implement as a matter of urgency the Military Mobility Pledge 2024 (in annex to the conclusions).
Strengthen the EU’s resilience and secure access to strategic domains
The Council reiterates the importance of strengthening the EU's prevention, detection, deterrence, resilience and response to hybrid, FIMI, cyber threats and malicious activities targeting the EU, its member states and partners with the development of dedicated instruments such as Cyber Diplomacy Toolbox and EU Hybrid Toolbox.
Furthermore, the conclusions recall the importance of the space, maritime and air domains for the EU’s security and defence and call for the swift implementation of the joint communication on the climate and security nexus.
Partner up
The EU will continue to further strengthen, deepen and expand the tailored and mutually beneficial partnerships with partners, based on shared values and interests.
Ahead of the next UN Summit of the Future, the Council welcomed the ongoing development of the UN-EU Strategic Partnership on peace and security to adapt it to the new geopolitical reality.
The Council reiterates that the EU’s strategic partnership with NATO underpinned by the strong transatlantic bond is essential for Euro-Atlantic security and stability. The EU remains fully committed to further strengthening, deepening, and expanding this mutually beneficial partnership, through political dialogue and cooperation in the framework of the three Joint Declarations of 2016, 2018, and 2023, and in full respect of the guiding principles of EU-NATO cooperation.
With a view to taking the EU-NATO partnership to the next level, the conclusions stress the need to develop and adopt a new, comprehensive, and forward-looking implementation document encompassing the full spectrum of EU-NATO cooperation before the end of 2024.
The Council welcomes the signature of the Security and Defence Partnership with the Republic of Moldova, the upcoming one with Norway, and looks forward to the signature additional ones.
In its conclusions the Council also calls on EU member states to implement the new Military Mobility Pledge 2024, which aims to address remaining gaps in military mobility and thus help ensure swift and seamless movement of military personnel, materiel and assets – including at short notice and at large scale – within and beyond the EU. The commitments set out in the Mobility Pledge include, among others: the prioritisation of dual use infrastructure investments and a new level of ambition for faster cross border movement permissions.