The leaders of the European Union (EU) have announced the need to strengthen civil and military readiness and stability of the Union for crises in a changing world order, where geopolitical tension and climate of spontaneous disasters is growing.
This is stated in the final declaration of the EU leaders in Brussels on the position of the Union in the world, stability, readiness for crises, preventing and responding to crises, migration and other issues.
Leaders emphasized the significance of a coordinated civil and military approach to crises management.
Calling to improve cooperation with NATO, the leaders called on the European Commission and the participating countries to speed up work on a comprehensive readiness strategy taking into account the interests of national security and defense and compatible with the EU priorities.
“This new approach to ensuring readiness is necessary to strengthen the sustainability of the EU, protect its values, maintain economic success and competitiveness, as well as adaptation to climate change,” follows from the text of the declaration.
EU leaders called for urgent efforts to strengthen the security of borders, the fight against smuggling of people and accelerate the return of illegal migrants.
Having confirmed their commitment to the integration of new members, the leaders of the countries participating in the European Union called the process of expanding the “geostrategic investment” in the world, safety and prosperity.
Hybrid threats
The leaders of the European Union strongly condemned the “hybrid activity of Russia, including cyber attacks, the sabotage of critical infrastructure and attempts to intervene in democratic processes.”
The satisfaction of the adoption of the first sanctions against individuals and organizations engaged in destabilizing activities against the EU. EU leaders promised to “increase stability and take additional measures” to restrain such actions.