The Council of the European Union (EU) has instructed the head of EU diplomacy, Josep Borrel, to submit a draft of the EU's first military concept, the Strategic Compass, by November 2021 for further discussion. This was announced on May 10 by the press service of the EU Council.
"Strategic Compass" will increase and direct the implementation of the level of ambitions in the field of security and defense. Therefore, the Council calls on the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to submit the first draft of the "Strategic Compass" for discussion at the council meeting in November 2021.
It is noted that the European Union intends to increase its ability to act autonomously and to counter threats and challenges to global security. The importance of strengthening the EU's defense initiatives and the ability to counter hybrid threats is also emphasized.
Earlier, on May 7, Borrel reported that for the first time, the United States, Canada and Norway, which are not EU member states, participated in the EU program for security and defense cooperation (PESCO).
Borrel noted the importance of making a decision on the participation of the three NATO member countries in the military mobility project, which provides, in particular, for the exchange of experience in organizing the movement of troops. It also follows from the report that the defense ministers discussed steps to strengthen the role of the EU as a "comprehensive player" in the security sphere, including the development of the "Strategic Compass" project — the first military concept of the union.
In addition, the head of the European Diplomacy proposed three ways to improve the efficiency of operational interaction of PESCO participants. The first is to share the burden among the allies in order to speed up the decision-making mechanism of the EU military structures and to ensure that all missions and operations conducted by the EU have the necessary means. The second is increased flexibility, such as the" Coordinated Maritime Presence", the current pilot project in the Gulf of Guinea and its possible use in the Indo-Pacific region. And finally, the readiness for faster deployment of EU missions and operations in different parts of the world.
Earlier, on May 6, Borrel said that the European Commission (EC) will prepare proposals for the formation of operational military forces of the European Union to quickly respond to crises.
