[/QUOTE]
The formation of a European rapid intervention team of up to 5,000 soldiers was approved by the foreign and defence ministers of the EU member states in Brussels today as part of the draft "Strategic Compass."
LEFT BY LEFT HERE ALL DEVELOPMENTS
Russia, Turkey, Eastern Mediterranean and Western Balkans
This plan, presented by Josep Borel last November and in the pipeline since 2020, was met with opposition, which subsided after the war in Ukraine. As reported by Eph.Plus, the adopted text is now full of references to Russia's invasion.
The unprecedented unity of the EU is stressed in the Compass Strategy text, according to APE-MPA, highlighting the need for rapid and robust action in times of crisis. At the same time, it points out that the goal is to strengthen security and defence policy by 2030.
The 47-page document also states that the EU must have the means to both safeguard its interests and protect its citizens, while stressing the need to strengthen cooperation with partners such as NATO. In addition, emphasis is placed on the Western Balkans.
On the Eastern Mediterranean, there is reference to challenges and unilateral actions against EU member states as well as violations of sovereign rights and the instrumentalisation of the refugee issue, stressing the importance of a stable and secure environment which will be in the interest of both the EU and Turkey.
On the Eastern Mediterranean, there is reference to challenges and unilateral actions against EU member states as well as violations of sovereign rights and the instrumentalisation of the refugee issue, stressing the importance of a stable and secure environment which will be in the interest of both the EU and Turkey.
These actions by Turkey are part of the threats and challenges faced by the EU, which endanger the security of its citizens and its critical infrastructure, as well as the integrity of the European borders.
The war has helped build a consensus
"The war has helped build a consensus around European defence," Nathalie Loiseau, an MEP close to Emmanuel Macron and chair of the defence subcommittee in the European Parliament, tells the French newspaper Le Monde, adding that "Europe is at risk".
Reflecting the current mood in France on the subject of European defence, Louiseau stresses that "the Ukrainian conflict has brought the views of the countries of central and western Europe closer together and highlights the common desire to create a rapid deployment force made up of 5.000 properly trained soldiers."
The MEP concludes that Europeans must stop believing that strategic autonomy and transatlantic ties are contradictory issues.
Schultz is not in thrall to Schroeder-Merkel's choices
On the same topic, however, a chronicler for Les Échos newspaper underlines in today's edition that Schroeder's and Merkel's bad choices have created such a subordination of Germany to Russia that Chancellor Schultz's government is now in thrall.
Germany is dragging part of Europe with it and depriving it of collective defensive weapons, says the paper, which believes that the war in Ukraine should encourage Europeans to read between Germany's policy lines and the balance of power it intends to impose.
In his view, Germany has its own strategy and a stronger French industry would pose a risk to its desire for hegemony in its main sectors, particularly in the automotive industry.
Greek side expresses satisfaction
The Greek side is satisfied with the final text of the EU's "Strategic Compass" adopted today by the EU Foreign and Defence Council, in which Greece was represented by Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias and Defence Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos, diplomatic sources underline.
The final text of the "Strategic Compass" is the product of an agreement after months of painful negotiations, which were affected by developments in Ukraine following the Russian invasion.According to diplomatic sources, the text makes clear references to fundamental principles of Greek foreign policy, as well as explicit references to provocative unilateral actions by Turkey.
The Greek side, in close coordination and cooperation with the Cypriot side, succeeded in introducing wording that refers to both short-term and long-term challenges, with explicit reference to Turkey.
In this context, Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias, in his intervention in the Council, stressed that revisionism and military aggression constitute a clear threat and a real danger wherever they come from and that they must be categorically discouraged and condemned.
The text contains a clear reference to the fundamental principles governing Greek foreign policy and which should govern relations between states in general, such as the need for full respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence within internationally recognised borders, as well as the promotion of effective multilateralism and international order based on the rules of international law, in particular the International Law of the Sea.
Mutual assistance in the event of an attack by a third party (Article 42.7 of the EU Treaty)
At the same time, the text underlines the readiness and determination of the Member States to provide mutual assistance in the event of an attack by a third party (Article 42.7 Treaty on European Union)
The text also contains references to the dangers posed by the growing contestation of maritime zones, continental shelves and increasing aggression in airspace, underlines the importance of protecting cultural heritage and stresses the need for the EU's partners to align with its decisions on Common Foreign and Defence Policy.
The text contains several important references to Turkey.
The text contains several important references to Turkey. In particular, it becomes abundantly clear that provocations and unilateral actions against sovereign rights against Member States, in violation of international law, continue. It is also stressed that these actions may lead to a rapid escalation of tensions in the region. The same applies to the instrumentalisation of the migration issue.
All these actions by the neighbour are explicitly included among the threats and challenges affecting the security of European citizens, the critical infrastructure of the European Union and the integrity of the European borders. In order to promote the cooperation desired by the European Union, there are crucial conditions that Turkey must respect.
In particular, Ankara must commit itself to following the path of cooperation, consistent de-escalation and responding to the concerns of the Union, as set out in the 27 Leaders' Declaration of March 2021.
It is recalled that in that Declaration, the EU directly called on Turkey to refrain from provocations, unilateral actions, illegal drilling in violation of international law. Otherwise, the Declaration recalled that the EU has the tools and means at its disposal to defend the interests of Member States and to safeguard regional stability.
Unilateral national declaration on defence spending
It is noted that Greece gave its consent to the adoption of the "Strategic Compass" and at the same time submitted a unilateral national declaration, in which it stresses that due to the challenges and threats it has been facing for a long time, its annual defence spending is well above 2% of GDP, a target that is in line with the reference in the Compass Strategy text to an increase in defence spending.
According to diplomatic sources, Greece has long stressed the need to exempt part of defence spending from the rules on public debt and hopes that an agreement on this point can be reached as soon as possible.
A similar unilateral declaration has been made by other member states.
Finally, it is noted that the adoption of the "Strategic Compass" reinforces the efforts made for European autonomy, efforts that Greece supports, in harmony with its strategic relationship with the US.
Source: APE-MPA
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs Cyprus Times
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or Cyprus Times
Source
