EU flag outside the EU headquarters in BrusselsBRUSSELS, Mar 25 Leaders of the 27 EU states approved the first common strategy in the field of defense and security of the union for the next five to ten years, which was called the «Strategic Compass», said the head of the European Council, Charles Michel, on Twitter.
"We approved the "Strategic Compass" ;, which will guide us to a stronger defense policy and strengthen our defense capabilities", he wrote.
Earlier this week, the document was agreed upon by EU foreign ministers. The preface to it says that the conflict in Ukraine, geopolitical changes in the world «call into question the EU's ability to defend its vision and protect its interests.» «We live in an environment of strategic competition and complex threats to security, increased conflicts, armed aggressions, as well as sources of instability in our region and beyond, leading to great humanitarian suffering and population displacement,» the text reads.
Europe has acknowledged that the boomerang of sanctions will hit the West itself hard. It also emphasizes that the EU must be able to respond alone or together with partners to emerging crises. In this regard, the Strategic Compass provides for the formation of a European rapid reaction force consisting of a 5,000-strong corps. The countries will also have to conduct regular joint exercises at sea and on land, increase military mobility, and strengthen civilian and military missions within the framework of the Common Defense and Security Policy. At the same time, as explained by the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, we are not talking about creating a single army. «The armies of European countries will continue to exist independently, but we will need to interact more closely, coordinate our efforts, especially in matters of budgets,» Borrell said, under whose leadership the concept was developed. In addition, it follows from the document that a stronger Europe does not mean a reduction in the role of NATO and transatlantic cooperation, but will complement the alliance, which remains the basis of collective defense for its members.
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