Foreign Affairs Council (Defence), 19-20/11/2018 - Main results - Main contents
Highlights from the Foreign Affairs Council (Defence) of 20 November 2018, held in Brussels.
Main results
Security and defence
On Monday 19 November, defence and foreign ministers held a discussion on EU cooperation in security and defence. They reviewed the implementation of the EU Global Strategy in this area, including the permanent structured cooperation (PESCO), the coordinated annual review on defence (CARD), the European defence fund, military mobility, the military planning and conduct capability (MPCC), the civilian CSDP compact and the proposal for a European Peace Facility.
The Council adopted conclusions on security and defence.
EU-NATO cooperation
On Tuesday 20 November, defence ministers discussed EU-NATO cooperation together with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. The debate was the opportunity to reaffirm the strong transatlantic link and the continued commitment of both organisations to work together.
As we strengthen the EU's work on defence, we have also strengthened in an unprecedented way our cooperation with NATO.
Federica Mogherini, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Ministers highlighted in particular the cooperation on military mobility as well as on countering hybrid threats, including disinformation. The discussion took place as the EU and NATO are conducting a parallel and coordinated exercise, a tangible example of their work.
Factsheet on EU-NATO cooperation (EEAS)
Crisis preparedness: EU launches civil-military crisis management exercise (press release, 16/11/18)
CSDP missions and operations
Defence ministers also reviewed the CSDP missions and operations. They commended the work of the EU missions and operations in the Sahel (EUTM Mali, EUCAP Sahel Mali, EUCAP Sahel Niger) and the ongoing efforts to regionalise this work. Ministers also recalled the importance of CSDP efforts in the Western Balkans, where the EU is present with the military operation EUFOR Althea and the civilian mission EULEX Kosovo. The Council also discussed the next steps in view of the renewal of EUNAVFOR MED Operation Sophia. Ministers reaffirmed their full support to the operation, noting the important work the operation was able to conduct since its launch in 2015.
Operation SOPHIA is bringing good results, it is diminishing the number of illegal arrivals, arresting smugglers, training Libyan coastguards and implementing the UN Security Council resolution on arms embargo.
Federica Mogherini, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
EU military and civilian missions and operations (EEAS)
Other items
The Council adopted a number of decisions and conclusions without debate, including:
Defence cooperation: Council launches 17 new PESCO projects (press release, 19/11/2018)
European Defence Fund: Council adopts its position (press release, 19/11/2018)
Cyber defence: Council updates policy framework
Meeting information
Meeting n°3652-Defence
Brussels
19-20/11/2018
Preparatory documents
List of A item, legislative deliberations
List of A items, non-legislative activities (revised)
Outcome documents
List of participants (revised) 19/11