EU Leaders Agree To Bolster Defense Autonomy While Minding NATO

Leaders of the 28 EU nations agreed Friday to advance initiatives that seek to bolster the union's role as a defense provider, while reassuring NATO of their continued ties.

BRUSSELS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th December, 2018) Leaders of the 28 EU nations agreed Friday to advance initiatives that seek to bolster the union's role as a defense provider, while reassuring NATO of their continued ties.

The European Council said in a summary of conclusions made after the two-day summit in Brussels they welcomed progress in talks on the $15 billion European Defense Fund, in implementing a strategy for closer cooperation, and in improving military mobility.

"These initiatives contribute to enhancing the EU's strategic autonomy and its capacity to act as a security provider, while complementing and reinforcing the activities of NATO and strengthening EU-NATO cooperation," the final document reads.

French President Emmanuel Macron has been making a case for an EU army, with support from German Chancellor Angela Merkel. UK Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson has branded it an "absolutely crazy idea."

EU foreign policy and defense chief Federica Mogherini denied building one in November, just as NATO head Jens Stoltenberg warned that EU efforts should not compete with the alliance, which he called the bedrock for European security.