The Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission together with NATO’s Secretary General, made a joint Declaration on EU-NATO cooperation on 8 July 2016. The EU and NATO have a long track record of cooperation which has comprised political consultations and practical cooperation on crisis management operations. This includes operations undertaken by both NATO and the European Union under UN mandates or directly in support of deployed UN blue hat operations. The declaration highlights seven key areas where the EU and NATO can further strengthen cooperation and include, countering hybrid threats; broadening cooperation on maritime security and migration; expanding cooperation on cyber defence; developing coherent, complementary and interoperable defence capabilities; facilitating a stronger defence industry and defence research; stepping up coordination on exercises and supporting countries in building their defence and security capabilities. They represent practical areas of cooperation in support of international peace and security, international crisis management operations and the protection of civilians.
The EU and NATO are currently developing a process for a way forward with the aim of developing a single set of proposals that will be agreed by both the EU and NATO Councils.
The Treaty on European Union recognises the practical importance of EU cooperation with NATO, where 22 EU member States are also members of NATO. Ireland supports such cooperation between the two organisations in line with the EU Treaties. The EU NATO declaration confirms that future cooperation will fully respect the decision making autonomy of both organisations and will not prejudice the specific character of the security and defence policy of any Member States. I am satisfied that this is a strong acknowledgement that Ireland’s policy of neutrality will in no way be affected by enhanced cooperation between these two organisations.
