Foreign Affairs Council

Foreign Affairs Council, 18/05/2017, 18 May 2017

Main results

EU Global Strategy - Implementation in the area of security and defence

"Today we affirmed our shared determination to strengthen our work on security and defence, as the European Union. This will enhance our ability to act as a security provider worldwide and reinforce our global strategic role, as our partners in the world and our citizens expect. We will also improve our capacity to act autonomously whenever and wherever necessary and with partners wherever possible."
Federica Mogherini, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

Following up on the discussions of foreign ministers at the Council meeting on 15 May, defence ministers had a debate on implementation of the EU Global Strategy in the area of security and defence. They assessed progress and highlighted a number of priority initiatives. The Council adopted conclusions on security and defence in the context of the EU Global Strategy.

EU-NATO cooperation

The Council discussed EU-NATO cooperation with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. Ministers of defence took stock of cooperation, in particular of the common set of 42 proposals in the 7 areas identified in the Joint Declaration by the President of the European Council, the President of the European Commission and the Secretary General of NATO. They welcomed the progress made in several areas , in particular in countering hybrid threats as well as in information sharing, strategic communications, and maritime cooperation.

Both High Representative Federica Mogherini and Secretary General Stoltenberg emphasised that cooperation between the EU and NATO has become the norm rather than the exception, with both organisations working together in a practical and operational way to their mutual benefit.

Meeting files

Preparatory documents

Outcome documents

Press releases

"EU remains committed to strengthen security and defence": Council adopts Conclusions
- 18/05/2017

Press information

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