Focus on cooperation with strategic partners at the Presidency Conference on Reinforcing EU Defence Partnerships
The Presidency Conference on Reinforcing EU Defence Partnerships was held on 30–31 January. The aim of the conference was to discuss issues regarding the EU’s cooperation with strategic partners.
Swedish Minister for Defence Pål Jonson delivered the opening speech at the conference. He highlighted in particular the importance of cooperation and Sweden’s responsibility as holder of the Presidency of the Council of the EU at a challenging time.
One of the Swedish Presidency’s overarching priorities is a more secure Europe, with the EU as a stronger security and defence actor. In his opening speech, Mr Jonson further clarified what this means in the light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine:
“A heavy responsibility rests on the Swedish Presidency at this crucial time in our Union’s history. That is why the priorities of the Swedish Presidency focus on meeting the challenges we face in this difficult security situation. Sweden has three main priorities in the area of security and defence: support to Ukraine, the implementation of the EU’s Strategic Compass and strategic partnerships.”
The conference highlighted in particular Sweden’s third priority, namely the importance of strategic partnerships. Some hundred participants, made up of EU defence policy directors, representatives from various EU institutions and specially invited guests, came together for two days at Uppsala Castle to discuss matters such as various forms of partnership.
Given the theme of the conference, a number of the EU’s strategic partners were also invited to give their perspective on EU security and defence cooperation. In attendance were representatives from the United States, the United Kingdom, NATO, Norway, Canada and Iceland. The European Union Institute for Security Studies (EUISS) also presented a report on regional defence cooperation and EU cooperation with strategic partners.
Regional and multilateral cooperation
In addition to Mr Jonson’s opening speech and the presentation of the EUISS report, a number of panel discussions were held, with focus on regional and multilateral cooperation and how they contribute to European security. As part of the discussion, representatives from the European Intervention Initiative (EI2), the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) and the Nordic Defence Cooperation (NORDEFCO) gave their perspectives. The other panel discussions focused on the strategic partners’ cooperation with the EU and how cooperation between bilateral strategic partners and the EU can be developed.
Increased cooperation between the EU and NATO
“During our Presidency, we will highlight the importance of an EU that is open to working with strategic partners and organisations. The primary example is the close cooperation between the EU and NATO,” Mr Jonson emphasised in his opening speech.
The conference’s final panel discussion focused on the EU’s and NATO’s role in European security in light of the recent Joint Declaration on EU–NATO Cooperation and how the implementation of the EU’s Strategic Compass and NATO’s new strategic concept can generate more new areas of cooperation.