Ambitious EU security and defence policy needed to avoid decline, say MEPs

8-11-2012 — /europawire.eu/ — The EU’s common security and defence policy (CSDP) must respond to strategic trends and play a full part in the Union’s external relations, said foreign affairs and security and defence MEPs in a debate with Catherine Ashton on Wednesday. Member states should make full use of the CSDP tools and the EU institutions, they added.

The MEPs discussed key CSDP issues with EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton on the basis of a resolution drafted by security and defence subcommittee chair, Arnaud Danjean (EPP, FR), warning that the EU faces strategic decline without an ambitious common security and defence policy.

The resolution, which examines the implementation of the CSDP, says this crucial Union policy must include a military dimension and is essential in order to ensure a comprehensive and joined-up approach to the security and defence of the EU.

The resolution will be voted by the full House at its November session, in Strasbourg.

In the chair: Arnaud Danjean (EPP, FR)