The European Union (EU) Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense met in Brussels, the capital of Belgium. At the meeting, the “Strategic Compass” document, which will guide the common policies on the EU’s defense and security policies, was accepted and the green light was given for the establishment of a structure with military capability for the first time in the EU’s history.
DECISION HAS BEEN MADE FOR A MILITARY FORMATION
Holding a press conference after the meeting, EU High Representative for Foreign Relations and Security Policy and Vice-President of the EU Commission Josep Borrell stated that the EU has taken a decision for a military formation consisting of 5 thousand soldiers, which can be used to respond quickly and effectively when necessary. Borrell said, “The EU should have the capacity to ensure the security of its own citizens when necessary,” adding that the structure in question is not a new army and that it is aimed to provide efficient coordination between the armies of the member states.
“NOT ALTERNATIVE TO NATO”
Stating that the military structure that the EU envisages to establish is not an EU army, Borrell said, “This structure is not an alternative to NATO.” Stating that this corresponds to a rate of 1.5 percent, Borrell said, “We need to make new military expenditures in addition to NATO’s military capacity without doing the same job twice. Our expenditures are 3-4 times larger than Russia’s capacity.”
A REACTION TO THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR?
Stating that this new military cooperation decision taken by the EU is not a reaction to the Ukraine war, Borrel said, “We are talking about the result of a two-year study here. The decision in question did not emerge as a reaction to the Russia-Ukraine war. As the EU, we were doing this work to ensure our own security,” he said.
Stating that he aimed to draw attention to the issue by making statements that European security might be in danger while there was no war yet, Borrell said, “Today, this situation has come true. Europe’s security is threatened and in danger. This work, which we started earlier, was seen to be justified today,” he said.
FINANCIAL IS ALSO CONSIDERED AT THE MEETING
Stating that the EU Foreign and Defense Ministers also discussed Mali with a common agenda, Borrell said, “We have provided military and financial support to Mali so far. After the recent developments, we asked the current Mali transition administration for effective assurance for EU missions. We expect a response from the financial authorities. “Accordingly, the EU’s attitude will be formed. We have stopped supporting the Malian government, but we will continue to support the Malian people directly,” he said.