“The European Union level of ambition has to match its resources and reflect its political will to act,” said Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas on October 21 in Brussels at a European Union Defence Ministers seminar where EU Defence Ministers were discussing the EU Strategic Compass currently in progress.
The discussion focussed on the topics of EU entry force development, response measures to counter hybrid threats, and stronger defence cooperation of EU member states. Views were also exchanged on the new EU-NATO Joint Declaration.
“We support the proposal concerning the EU-NATO Joint Declaration. We agree that resilience, disruptive technology, climate, counter hybrid threats and assistance to partners are perspective areas for a stronger cooperation in the future,” said Minister A. Anušauskas adding that the transatlantic unit was the foundation of collective defence and, as a result, the proposal on the development of a EU force should be considered cautiously.
The informal EU Defence Ministers seminar took place in Brussels ahead of the NATO Defence Ministerial sessions due in Brussels on October 21-22. A. Anušauskas and his NATO counterparts will discuss the Alliance deterrence and defence policy and other important international security and defence topics.
