The European Parliament adopted by 369 votes to 197, with 123 abstentions, a resolution on the implementation of the Common Security and Defence Policy - Annual Report 2021.
Parliament stressed that the European Union is facing: (i) new threats from state and non-state actors in a multipolar world, such as terrorism, the rise of authoritarianism, hybrid threats, as well as the instrumentalisation of migration, disinformation and foreign interference; (ii) increased militarisation worldwide and (iii) a still unstable neighbourhood, both to the East and to the South.
Developing an EU security and defence doctrine
Parliament emphasised the inextricable link between internal and external security. Stressing that it was in the Union's interest to engage actively in its neighbourhood, it stressed the importance of stability in the Western Balkans. It condemned Russia's military deployment on Ukraine's territory and borders, as well as the Kremlin's demand to halt NATO expansion and to review the European security architecture based on an outdated concept of spheres of influence.
2020 was dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic and numerous challenges to the Unions foreign, security and defence policy, which exposed insufficient coordination and dependencies on the rest of the world. Members stressed that the EU must learn lessons from this with a view, in particular, to reinforcing digital and technological sovereignty and overall strategic autonomy as an international actor, and its capacity and willingness to decide and act autonomously, if needed, in foreign affairs, security and defence matters and to re-evaluate its dependencies on actors that do not share the same values.
Members welcomed the Strategic Compass which aims to cement the foundations for a shared vision for EU security and defence among European Union Member States.
CSDP missions and operations in 2020
Parliament recalled that the EU is currently deploying 11 civilian missions and seven military missions and operations. Members suggested that the budget, planning and equipment of EU CSDP missions and operations be assessed in the light of the lessons learned from COVID-19.
While acknowledging the contribution of CSDP missions and operations to peace security and stability, Members pointed to the persistent structural weakness and lengthy decision-making processes for CSDP civilian and military missions and operations. Therefore, the report stressed the importance of providing military missions with more flexible and more robust mandates which are tailored to the situation on the ground. Changes should be made to CSDP structures and procedures so that missions can be deployed in faster, more flexible and more coherent ways.
The resolution called for the strengthening of the Union's command structures, in particular the Military Staff (EUMS) and the Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC), which must be provided with the necessary personnel, equipment and resources as soon as possible, and be able to exchange classified information in a secure way.
Deploring the actions of the coup leaders in Mali, Members stated that any cooperation with a private Russian military company, the Kremlin proxy Wagner Group on training the Malian armed forces, would be incompatible with security and defence cooperation with the European Union and would therefore require the EU to reassess its commitment to Mali.
Members expressed concern about the increasing manipulation of information, disinformation and hybrid threats stemming in particular from Russia, and China affecting several theatres and CSDP missions and operations directly, destabilising whole regions and delegitimising the EUs missions abroad. In this regard, they called for a structured response to these threats by CSDP missions and operations as a matter of urgency.
Anticipating and managing crises
Members stressed that the valuable contribution of the armed forces during the COVID-19 pandemic has shown the importance of the use of Member States military assets and capabilities in support of the Union Civil Protection Mechanism. In this regard, they expressed support for the ambition of creating a rapid entry force which should include a multinational land brigade of around 5 000 troops and air, maritime and special forces components that can be mobilised in a security emergency.
The EU is called on to develop relevant legislation providing necessary safeguards to effectively react and respond to the instrumentalisation of migration for political purposes by third countries, to ensure the effective protection of the EUs external borders and the protection of human rights and human dignity.
Parliament called for (i) strengthening the Union's role as guarantor of international maritime security; (ii) improving its capabilities to identify and respond to hybrid threats; (iii) developing a defence space strategy to ensure that the Union and its Member States have autonomous and disrupted access to space assets at all times; (iv) strengthening operational instruments to protect critical infrastructure and the functioning of democratic institutions, as well as to ensure the security of supply chains; (v) developing civilian and military capabilities, improving processes and development and ensuring their coherence.
Members noted the EU did not have the full capacities and capabilities to ensure the safe and coordinated evacuation of its citizens from Afghanistan during the chaotic military evacuation of Kabul International Airport. They called, therefore, for a thorough evaluation.
Financing
Parliament called on the Commission to continue its efforts to counter the fragmentation of the EUs internal market for defence products, which is still leading to unnecessary duplication and the multiplication of inefficiencies in defence spending by the Member States. EU Member States that are NATO Allies should aim to ensure that their national defence budgets amount to at least 2 % of their GDP.
Defending multilateralism on arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation
Parliament reaffirmed its full support for the EU and its Member States commitment to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) as the cornerstone of the nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament regime. Members believe that the EU should help prevent an international hypersonic missile arms race. Members stressed that the EU should take the lead in global efforts to set up a comprehensive regulatory framework for the development and use of AI-enabled weapons.
Strengthening dialogue and partnerships
The resolution called for deeper cooperation with international organisations and in particular with the UN, including between CSDP missions and peacekeeping operations, especially in common theatres. Members stressed the need to strengthen transatlantic cooperation between the EU and the US on the basis of an equal partnership and called on the UK government to open negotiations to establish robust cooperation on foreign policy, security, defence and capability development.
Improving European governance of the CSDP
Parliament should be actively involved in the evaluation of CSDP missions and operations with a view to enhancing their transparency and political and public support. A fully-fledged Security and Defence Committee should be created in the Parliament. Member States are called on to assess a reform of the decision-making process extending qualified majority voting (QMV) to EU foreign and security policy in areas relating to CSDP.