The European Parliament adopted by 438 votes to 65, with 94 abstentions, a recommendation to the Council and the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on the EU’s Foreign, Security and Defence Policy after the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine.
Parliament reiterated its strong support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence within its internationally recognised borders. It recommended providing Ukraine with all the material, military, financial and humanitarian assistance it needs, being prepared to contribute as much as possible to the reconstruction of the country once the war is over and putting in place a legal mechanism to confiscate frozen Russian assets and funds for use in compensation and reconstruction of Ukraine.
Parliament suggested making rapid progress in building a defence union, establishing a regular EU defence minister council, introducing qualified majority voting for certain areas of foreign policy and intensifying collaboration with like-minded partners in the world, especially with NATO's transatlantic allies, to maintain the greatest possible unity in the defence of the rules-based international order.
The Union's strategic autonomy should be established as an overarching objective in all areas and as a fundamental and overarching principle of its foreign, security and defence policy and external action.
Follow-up to the adoption of the Strategic Compass
Parliament recommended that consideration be given to ways of strengthening the security and resilience of the EU's associated partners by making use of the opportunities provided by the Strategic Compass and by increasing assistance to Georgia and Moldova under the European Peace Facility.
The most urgent elements of the Strategic Compass should be implemented swiftly and tangible steps should be taken to strengthen the resilience of critical infrastructure in the Union, increase security of supply, obtain firm commitments from Member States on improving defence spending and conducting joint efforts to address capability shortfalls, on conducting joint military training and education, on strengthening efforts to develop strategic communication and on a strengthened arsenal to combat cyber and hybrid threats.
Parliament recommended urgently revising the Rapid Deployment Capability concept, which is not ambitious enough, and reworking its structure, which does not meet the Union's urgent need for a highly reliable standing multinational military unit, which should include a multinational land brigade of about 5 000 troops and air and maritime components as well as special forces, and whose leading elements should be ready for deployment within two to three days.
Parliament called for the establishment of a fully functional EU military headquarters with the aim of creating a fully viable operational civilian and military headquarters. It recommended seeking to bring the United Kingdom into a common defence and foreign policy cooperation framework.
Impact on CSDP missions and operations
Parliament recommended reviewing the mandate of EUAM Ukraine and the EU Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM), based on the needs expressed by the Ukrainian and Moldovan authorities, in order to adapt it to the new geopolitical reality and to provide rapid and effective support to the authorities of both countries. It suggested improving force generation and enhancing the strength, responsiveness, capabilities and strategic communication of all CSDP missions and operations.
Countries where EU CSDP missions and operations are deployed should be required to contribute to the enhancement of the capabilities of these missions and operations so that they can terminate their contracts with private military security companies allegedly involved in human rights violations.
EU-NATO cooperation
Parliament called for ensuring that the objectives and priorities of the Strategic Compass are duly taken into account in the development of NATO's Strategic Concept, with a view to its adoption at the Madrid Summit. It also recommended encouraging EU Member States to increase their defence budgets and investment and to take into account the target for NATO countries to spend 2% of their GDP on defence, given the increased military threat posed by Russia in the EU's immediate neighbourhood.
Ukraine
Parliament recommended: (i) providing without delay weapons in line with the needs expressed by the authorities; (ii) acknowledging Ukraine's European aspirations and its application for EU membership and granting it candidate status; (iii) reaffirming that Ukraine has the sovereign right to decide on its political alliances and economic integration on its own, without interference from other countries; (iv) supporting the investigation of war crimes committed by Russian in Ukraine, including by calling for a special United Nations tribunal.
Parliament also recommended, inter alia:
- recognising that the European integration of the Western Balkans is essential for the long-term stability and security of the EU, Parliament is keen to give these countries a credible prospect of joining the EU;
- examining the European Neighbourhood Policy with a view to assessing the impact of Russia's war on Ukraine on cooperation within the Eastern Partnership;
- involving Parliament in the continued successful implementation and monitoring of the European Peace Facility and aim for a full budgetary function for Parliament in the field of foreign, security and defence policy;
- making full use of the possibilities for funding from the EU budget provided by the Treaties, and review these possibilities in the context of the mid-term review of the multi-annual financial framework with a view to providing the necessary increased funds for EU instruments and relevant EU initiatives in the area of defence;
- rapidly finalising the joint Commission and European External Action Service plan for joint EU procurement of military systems;
- ensuring comprehensive monitoring of EU sanctions and their implementation and provide guidance to Member States on how to properly implement and enforce them;
- adopting a holistic approach to Russia and abandon any selective engagement with Moscow in the face of war crimes orchestrated by Russian political elites and committed by Russian troops.