EU and NATO unite in the face of competition from China and threats to infrastructure

The European Union (EU) and the NATO will expand their cooperation in the face of increased geostrategic competition, mainly from China and to better protect its critical infrastructures in the context of the Russian war in Ukraine, with the signing on Tuesday of a new joint declaration that underlines that the Alliance is “essential” for Euro-Atlantic security and which recognizes the “worth” of a more capable community defense.

“Our statement makes it clear that NATO remains the foundation of collective defense and that it remains essential for Euro-Atlantic security”indicated the secretary general of the Alliance, Jens Stoltenberg, in a press conference after the signing of the declaration, the third after those promoted in 2016 and 2018 by the two organizations.

At the same time, Stoltenberg said, the new document “it also recognizes the value of a more capable European defense that contributes positively to our security and that is complementary and interoperable with NATO”he added, referring to the efforts undertaken in recent years by the EU to strengthen its defensive capabilities and its military industry.

READ ALSO: Salaries for new job positions in the energy sector reach S/ 14,000

“We are determined to take the partnership between NATO and the European Union to the next level, to address in particular the growing geostrategic competition, resilience issues and the protection of critical infrastructure, as well as emerging and disruptive technologies in space, implications of climate change for security, interference and manipulation of information”, Stoltenberg summarized the objectives of this third stage of cooperation.

CONDEMNS RUSSIA

Stoltenberg and the presidents of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and of the European Council, Charles Michel, signed the new statement against the background of Russia’s war in Ukraine, noted in the comm document.or “the most serious threat to Euro-Atlantic security in decades”and the rise of China as a backdrop.

The Norwegian politician said that the Moscow regime wants “a different Europe” and “control its neighbours”, so “we must continue to strengthen the vital transatlantic link” and “the partnership between NATO and the European Union”as well as the support they are giving to Ukraine.

In the statement, both parties condemn “in the strongest possible terms” the aggression of Russia, to whom they ask “immediately stop this war and withdraw from Ukraine.”

“Putin wanted less NATO. But he has achieved the opposite: he will have more NATO. And he will have more EU ”Michel stated.

For his part, Von der Leyen acknowledged that sabotage such as the one suffered by the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline “It shows that we must take more responsibility for the security of our infrastructure network.”

LOOK HERE: China’s central bank to increase financial support for domestic demand

GEOSTRATEGIC COMPETENCE

Stoltenberg also referred to the “growing strategic competition” in the world: “Authoritarian actors challenge our democratic interests, values, and principles using multiple means: political, economic, technological, and military,” indicates the new statement.

“China’s growing assertiveness and policies pose challenges that we must address”highlights the document, which adds that “continued conflict, fragility and instability in our European neighborhood undermine our security and provide fertile ground for strategic competitors, as well as terrorist groups, to gain influence, destabilize societies and pose a threat to our security” .

The statement emphasizes that “the moment we live in reveals more than ever the importance of the transatlantic link and the need for closer cooperation between NATO and the EU”. This Wednesday, Stoltenberg will attend the College meeting to discuss security and defense.

COMPLEMENTARITY

LOOK HERE: Young people who started with S/ 10 in the BVL now invest up to five times more

For NATO, the reinforcement that the EU is carrying out of its defense capabilities must be coherent and complementary to the Alliance’s efforts to avoid unnecessary duplication and contribute to burden sharing between Europe and North America.

The EU leaders themselves, at a summit in Brussels last May in which they supported the application of the so-called “Strategic Compass” -the new ten-year community strategy for the EU to gain autonomy in the area of ​​defense and security-, they already underlined that NATO “It continues to be the basis of the collective defense of its members.”

The two organizations, in fact, share 21 members.

“Our partnership will be even more important when Finland and Sweden become full members of NATO”indicated Stoltenberg, who pointed out that then the Alliance “It will protect 96% of the citizens of the European Union and a greater part of its territory than ever before.”

The two parties have proposed to continue deepening the 74 cooperation measures promoted since their first declaration, which cover the fight against hybrid and cyber threats, operational cooperation -including maritime-, military mobility, industry and research in defense matters, exercises, the fight against terrorism or capacity building.

Source: EFE