This Monday, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs & Defense of the Twenty-seven met in Brussels for a joint session. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the most recent events in Ukraine and to give the green light for the so-called “Resolution in Ukraine”. “Strategic Compass”The document that will set the foundations of the EU’s next decade-long security and defense plan.
This text has been in development for two years, and the foundations of a first draft were laid in November. However, the dispute at EU gates has made the tone harsher in face of Russian threats with paragraphs that have an unusual sense of urgency. “The return of war to Europe with an unjustified and unprovoked aggression against Ukraine, as well as major geopolitical movements are challenging our ability to promote our vision and defend our interests. We live in the era of strategic competition and complex security threats”, begins the 47-page document approved yesterday that the highest representative of community diplomacy, Josep Borrellhas defined as a “quantum leap”.
According to the foreign ministry statement, “The most hostile security environments require that we take a big leap and increase capacity and willingness for action, strengthen recovery capacity and invest more effectively in our Defense capabilities,”
One of the major proposals of the “Strategic Compass” is the implementation Rapid force of upto 5,000 troopsThey should be operational by 2025. In 2007, two battalions of around 1,500 soldiers were formed. They have never been launched because of the reluctance to launch them. This is due to the inability of the foreign ministry to agree on their deployment.
All this and more Without compromising NATO coordinationit has been able to wake up from its stupor after the invasion in Ukraine. It is expected that the Strategic Compass will receive its last accolade. Summit of Heads of Government and State of the Twenty-sevenThis will be held in the community capital, and the US president has been invited. Joe BidenParticipants will also take part in an extraordinary summit.
“In supporting Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression, we are showing unprecedented determination to restore peace in Europe together with our allies. The approved text assures that a stronger and more competent European Union in the area of security and defense will positively contribute to global transatlantic security. It will also complement NATO, which will remain the foundation of collective security of its members.” Aukus.
It is expected that European leaders in the first half this year will establish new standards, as per the declaration at the Versailles summit. Targets on their defense spendingAfter Germany made a triple leap by committing to this figure of 2% GDP, A new fund with 100,000 million eurosThese initiatives will be launched in the coming year. The EU will also offer more incentives to member states to collaborate on capacity building and to invest together in reducing technological and industrial dependence. It’s not about spending more, it’s about spending better. The new strategy will also include increased resources to fight cyber attacks, combat manipulation and interfere in information, and the development of a European plan for security, defense, and defense in both space and at sea.