Cooperation between the European Union and Nato is essential, according to an EU factsheet released on July 10.
It said the security of EU and Nato are inter-connected: not only are 22 EU member states also Nato allies, but together, they can also mobilise a broad range of tools and make the most efficient use of resources to address those challenges and enhance the security of their citizens.
According to the factsheet, a stronger EU and a stronger Nato are mutually reinforcing.
EU-Nato cooperation constitutes an integral pillar of the EU’s work aimed at strengthening European security and defence, as part of the implementation of the EU Global Strategy. It also contributes to Trans-Atlantic burden sharing. A stronger EU and a stronger Nato are mutually reinforcing.
According to a 2016 joint declaration signed by the two sides, seven areas should take priority: countering hybrid threats, operational cooperation including at sea and on migration, cyber security and defence, defence capabilities, defence industry and research, exercises and supporting Eastern and Southern partners’ capacity-building efforts.
On this basis, 74 concrete actions are under implementation in the seven areas.
In a separate report, the BBC noted that US President Donald Trump, who arrived for the Nato Summit in Brussels, received a warning from European Council President Donald Tusk.
Accusing the president of criticising Europe “almost daily”, Tusk said the EU spent more than Russia on defence and as much as China.
“Dear America, appreciate your allies, after all you don’t have that many,” said Tusk.
After attending the Nato summit on July 11, Trump will spend four days in the UK before meeting Russia’s Vladimir Putin in Helsinki on July 16.
Before boarding Air Force One for London, Trump told reporters: “So I have Nato, I have the UK which is in somewhat turmoil, and I have Putin. Frankly, Putin may be the easiest of them all. Who would think?”
On Nato, Trump’s main objection is that a number of member states have not increased their defence budgets to the target of 2% of economic output.
