Von Der Leyen, Macron To Host EU Defence Summit Next Year
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published September 16, 2021 | 02:24 PM
The European Union will hold a defence summit next year during the French presidency of the bloc, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said Wednesday
Strasbourg, France, Sept 15 (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Sep, 2021 ) :The European Union will hold a defence summit next year during the French presidency of the bloc, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said Wednesday.
French President Emmanuel Macron has been pushing for the 27-nation union to develop more autonomous military capacities alongside the Western alliance.
And the rapid collapse of Afghanistan's government at the end of the 20-year-old US-led mission in Afghanistan has intensified debate in Brussels' about the EU's role.
"It is time for Europe to step up to the next level," von der Leyen told the European Parliament in her annual State of the European Union address.
"President Macron and I will convene a summit on European defence," she said.
France will take over the six-month rotating presidency of the union at the New Year, and Macron will push for member states to commit to more defence coordination.
But most EU nations are also members of the NATO alliance and some, particularly eastern states more exposed to the threat of Russia, do not want to undermine ties with the United States.
"Witnessing events unfold in Afghanistan was profoundly painful for the families and friends of fallen servicemen and servicewomen," von der Leyen said.
"We have to reflect on how this mission could end so abruptly. There are deeply troubling questions that allies will have to tackle within NATO.
"But there's simply no security and defence issue where less cooperation is the answer."Von der Leyen vowed to work with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on a new EU-NATO joint declaration to be presented before the end of the year.
"But this is only one part of the equation," she said. "Europe can and clearly should be able and willing to do more on its own."
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
Court adjourns Judicial Complex attack case till May 17
Nasreen Noori’s book ‘Popatan Jahra Khwab’ launched
Wafaqi Mohtasib inspection team visits Excise and taxation office
AJLAC announces 5th Conference titled ‘People’s Mandate: Safeguarding Civil ..
Pak-US officials engage to enhance trade, investment ties
IBCC to promote educational excellence, expand regional presence
Pakistani 'Blue Helmets' serving UN Peacekeeping Mission in DR Congo set to leav ..
Putin says plans to visit China in May
More Stories From World
-
Bagnaia and Spanish rivals chase victory at Jerez
1 hour ago -
Russian, Ukrainian strikes kill at least 10 in frontline regions
2 hours ago -
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
2 hours ago -
Tourism must change, mayor says as Venice launches entry fee
2 hours ago -
Pakistani 'Blue Helmets' serving UN Peacekeeping Mission in DR Congo set to leave after 20 years of ..
3 hours ago -
Putin says plans to visit China in May
3 hours ago
-
US reinstates open internet rules rescinded under Trump
3 hours ago -
Honda announces US$11 bn EV battery and vehicle plant in Canada
3 hours ago -
Portugal marks 50 years of democracy with far right on the rise
3 hours ago -
Oman, UAE deluge 'most likely' linked to climate change: scientists
4 hours ago -
BHP launches $38.8 billion takeover bid for rival Anglo American
4 hours ago -
Saudi oil giant Aramco agrees major FIFA sponsorship deal
4 hours ago