When it comes to the international stage, EU countries agree to work together for greater impact, especially on our security and defence. Together, EU leaders have committed to a common security and defence policy, which sets the framework for EU defence and crisis management. Russia's invasion of Ukraine provided renewed impetus to deepen this cooperation.

What can the EU do?

Although EU countries are in control of their own defence, EU governments also work together to ensure our security in Europe. Under the umbrella of the EU's collective foreign and security policy, the EU first set out a security and defence policy (known as the CSDP) in 1999. Many different EU institutions play a role in defence and crisis management. The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR/VP), who is also a Vice‑President of the European Commission, coordinates the CSDP. The HR/VP chairs the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), of member countries' government ministers, which takes CSDP decisions by unanimity. The HR/VP also heads the EU's European External Action Service and European Defence Agency, which support EU member countries in enhancing their defence capabilities through cooperation. The European Council – made up of EU Heads of State or Government – sets the overall political direction and security and defence priorities, and must also take these decisions unanimously. The European Parliament scrutinises EU defence and security policy, and the budget dedicated to it.

What has the EU done so far?

There has been unprecedented progress on EU defence cooperation in recent years. For instance, Permanent Structured Cooperation, launched in 2017, provides a framework to deepen defence cooperation between EU countries (except Malta), and the European Defence Fund finances cooperation between EU companies on defence research and capability development. These initiatives are ground-breaking moves towards a more sovereign EU, better able to defend itself, with the ultimate intention to create a fully fledged European defence union.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 provided renewed impetus to deepen defence cooperation. In their March 2022 Versailles Declaration, EU leaders reiterated the EU's commitment to 'take more responsibility for its own security' and 'invest more and better' in defence. Most significantly, the EU approved its Strategic Compass in 2022, an ambitious plan to strengthen our security and defence by 2030.

For the first time in EU history, EU countries agreed to finance the provision of lethal weapons to a country at war, Ukraine, with the arms funded under the European Peace Facility. EU leaders also established a new short‑term fund to encourage the joint procurement of defence equipment, which should eventually lead to a longer‑term fund. Moreover, the EU passed legislation to help boost ammunition and missile production capacities, which will also create jobs.

In its pursuit of peace in the world, the EU carries out missions and peacekeeping, conflict prevention and international security operations in non-EU countries. Today, over 20 CSDP missions are active across Europe, Africa and Asia. The EU has also deepened its cooperation with partners such as NATO, the UN, the United States and the United Kingdom. An updated EU‑NATO declaration, including cooperation in new areas such as foreign information manipulation and interference, was signed in January 2023. The EU is also modernising our capacity to deal with new security threats, such as hybrid and cyber-attacks. In 2023, the EU put forward its first ever space strategy for security and defence.

What are the next challenges?

It will be essential to continue to support Ukraine and its reconstruction despite growing war fatigue in the West. Focusing on the implementation of the Strategic Compass will make the EU a more credible defence actor. Furthermore, as peace and security in our region has a direct effect on our security at home, it will be crucial to continue to support countries in our neighbourhood, such as the Western Balkans. Challenges posed by growing instability in Africa will also need to be tackled.