OREANDA-NEWS. The Council of the European Union has reaffirmed it's determination to move forward with it's own security and defence system.

«In line with it's strategic agenda for 2019-2024, the Council calls on the EU to more actively pursue a strategic course and strengthen it's ability to act autonomously. The EU must promote it's interests and values and be able to withstand threats and challenges to global security», the resolution says, adopted on Monday, May 10.

This, according to the members of the council, will allow the EU to take more responsibility for it's security. A special role is given to the political project «Strategic Compass». The EU Council has instructed the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrel, to prepare the first draft of the «Strategic Compass» for discussion at the council meeting in November.

The resolution emphasizes the importance of strengthening EU defense projects, such as the Permanent Structured Cooperation( PESCO), the European Defense Industry Development Program (EDIDP), as well as the Action Plan for Synergy between the Civil, Defense and Space Industries. The Council stresses the need to further enhance the EU's resilience and its ability to withstand hybrid threats.

From the EU's point of view, such a policy of European autonomy in the field of security and defense does not contradict transatlantic and global cooperation, but, on the contrary, will bring tangible benefits.

«The Council reaffirms the central role of international partnership with multilateral organizations, such as the UN and NATO, in accordance with the statement of the members of the European Council of 26 February 2021», the EU Council said in a statement.