EU approves security, defense plan of action in next decade
March 22, 2022, 3:30 pm

EU approves security, defense plan of action in next decade

EU's top diplomat Josep Borrell attends the 14th ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting at the Royal Palace of El Pardo near Madrid on December 16, 2019. (File photo AFP)

The Xinhua reported, the European Union's (EU) foreign and defense ministers on Monday approved the bloc's security and defense plan of action which, among others, will see it establishing a rapid reaction force with up to 5,000 troops that could be swiftly deployed in case of a crisis.

Josep Borrell, the EU's high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, told a press conference on Monday that the plan of action, known as the "Strategic Compass," was not a response to what was happening in Ukraine, but a "turning point for the EU as a security provider" and "a very much important step for European security and defense policy."

The Compass gives the EU an ambitious plan of action for strengthening the EU's security and defense policy by 2030.

Borrell said the Compass gave the EU the possibility to "act firmly and united" and will help it step up its ability to react in response to crisis, increase its resilience and invest in the required capabilities and defense innovation.

A flag of the European Union can be seen fluttering outside the European commission headquarters in Brussels. (File photo: AFP)

"The strength of our Union lies in unity, solidarity and determination. The objective of the Strategic Compass is to make the EU a stronger and more capable security provider," the bloc said in a separate statement announcing the agreement, emphasizing that the Compass "will enhance the EU's strategic autonomy."

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The program involves, among other things, the development of an EU Space Strategy for Security and Defense, creating an EU cyber defense policy to better prepare for and respond to cyberattacks and expanding intelligence analysis capabilities.

Source: xinhua

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Upon arriving to participate in the summit of the European Political Community, which includes around forty heads of state in Budapest, he said, "I look forward to sitting with the elected U.S. president and seeing how we will collectively ensure we meet challenges, including the threats from Russia and North Korea." He also noted that the strengthening of ties between Russia and North Korea poses a threat to the United States as well, according to reports from Agence France-Presse.

Before Trump's victory, Rutte expressed confidence that a united Washington would remain part of the defensive alliance, even if Trump became the 47th president of the United States. In an interview with German public broadcaster ZDF last Monday night, he stated that both Republicans and Democrats understand that NATO serves not only the security of Europe but also that of America. He added that both candidates are aware that the security of the United States is closely tied to NATO.

On Wednesday, NATO congratulated Trump on his victory but did not address the Ukrainian issue.

It is noteworthy that the relationship between the elected U.S. president and the defense alliance was not the best during his first term in the White House. Trump criticized NATO member states multiple times and even hinted at withdrawing from the alliance unless they increased their financial contributions.

Additionally, the issue of the Russian-Ukrainian war is one of the matters that complicate relations between the two sides, especially since Trump has repeatedly stated that he can end this ongoing conflict, which began in 2022, quickly. He implied that he had a peace plan between Kyiv and Moscow, while his vice president, JD Vance, revealed aspects of that plan, which stipulated Ukraine's commitment not to join NATO, thereby sending reassuring signals to the Russians.

Furthermore, many NATO member states in Europe fear that Trump might halt military aid to Ukraine after he previously criticized the U.S. for pouring funds into supporting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.