In the current geopolitical and strategic environment, security is a major concern for people and a priority for the EU. Ahead of the European Council, COMECE has published its assessment and proposals for a future European Security and Defence Policy.
French soldiers in Mali, Africa. (Photo: Fred Marie/Shutterstock)
The EU Heads of State and Government will discuss on 22-23 June 2017 the strengthening of EU cooperation on security and defence. In the current context, strategic questions – such as “Whom do we defend? What are the new security threats?” – have to be re-examined.
Since the endorsement of the EU Global Strategy on Foreign and Security Policy one year ago, the EU has shown quite significant progress in its implementation. Most recently, the European Commission published its reflection paper on the future of European defence as part of the discussion on the future of Europe.
COMECE has actively contributed to the drafting process of the Global Strategy. Now, ahead of the European Council, it takes the opportunity to assess the first steps in the follow-up and to make some concrete proposals on security and defence.
In its contribution entitled “Whose Security? Whose Defence?”, COMECE, stresses that a narrow understanding of security can only provide a partial response to the variety of threats faced by the people today. In order to address these challenges effectively and comprehensively, the future European security and defence should, in particular:
- be based on clear strategic objectives,
- be oriented towards human security and sustainable peace,
- ensure effective and adequate protection of people, and
- be understood as a global concept embedded in an authentic European peace policy.
