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EU-NATO cooperation as a guarantee of security

06.05.2021

- During the meeting we discussed the EU security issues. In one of the sessions, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg focused the discussions on the EU - NATO relations. I am very glad that the view Poland consistently presents, that the EU should not compete with the Alliance, is the view shared by the majority, said Mariusz Błaszczak, Minister of National Defense.

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On Thursday, May 6, in Brussels, Polish Minister of National Defense participated in the meeting of the Council of the European Union for Foreign Affairs in the format of defense ministers, which was chaired by Joseph Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Jens Stoltenberg, NATO secretary general was also present during the deliberations.

- I am very glad that NATO capabilities are supplemented by EU undertakings. This is undoubtedly very important. We can also be satisfied that the view consistently presented by Poland - that also countries not belong to the EU could function under PESCO - has been adopted. And it is the United States, Canada and Norway that are joining the PESCO initiative. I hope that other countries will also be able to do so, said Minister Mariusz Błaszczak.

In the morning, Minister Błaszczak took part in a meeting of the Steering Board of the European Defense Agency, during which a discussion on the Coordinated Annual Defense Review (CARD) was held.

During the main session of the Council, in the formula of defense ministers, apart from current issues, the crisis response of the EU within the framework of the so-called Strategic Compass was discussed. The cooperation between the EU and NATO in joint theaters of interest was, in turn, the subject of a meeting between defense ministers and the Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the NATO Secretary General.

- As for the Polish position, we consistently emphasize that the European Union and its defense capabilities should be consistent with the activities of the North Atlantic Alliance. We do not want the EU to compete with NATO on defense matters. This is the principle that we follow consistently, said the minister.

During the meeting, the most important international events involving NATO and the EU were also discussed, as well as the assumptions of the planned EU Strategic Compass in the part concerning EU crisis response missions.

- I think that meeting directly - encouraging free discussions - and not via internet connection is very important. This strengthens relations within the EU. I consider the first meeting of defense ministers in this format very fruitful, very successful - said the minister.

The Foreign Affairs Council is responsible for the European Union's external actions, including, among others, defense and security matters. The meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council are chaired by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The High Representative is assisted by the European External Action Service.

The EU Strategic Compass is to indicate and specify the preferred directions for the development of the EU's defense dimension. The document is planned to be adopted in March 2022.

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