EN

COU CIL OF
THE EUROPEA U IO

Council conclusions on Common Security and Defence Policy
EDUCATIO , YOUTH, CULTURE and SPORT Council meeting
Brussels, 25 - 26 ovember 2013

The Council adopted the following conclusions:
"1.

In today’s changing world the European Union is called upon to assume increased
responsibilities in the maintenance of international peace and security, in order to guarantee
the security of its citizens and the promotion of its values and interests. To this end, in its
conclusions of December 2012, the European Council expressed its commitment to enhancing
the effectiveness of the Common Security and Defence Policy as a tangible contribution to
international crisis management. In line with these conclusions, the High Representative /
Head of the European Defence Agency presented her report with further proposals and actions
to strengthen CSDP.

2.

The Council welcomes this report as a key contribution to the European Council on security
and defence scheduled for December 2013. It stresses the importance of enabling the EU to
assume increased responsibilities as a security provider, at the international level and in
particular in its neighbourhood, thereby also enhancing its own security and its role as a
strategic global actor. The Council believes that the EU through CSDP and other instruments
has a strong role to play through its unique comprehensive approach to preventing and
managing conflicts and their causes.

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It stresses the importance of working with its partners, in particular the UN, NATO, OSCE,
and African Union, as well as strategic partners and partner countries in its neighbourhood,
with due respect to the institutional framework and decision-making autonomy of the EU. The
EU faces long standing and emerging security challenges, within a rapidly changing and
complex geostrategic environment, while the financial crisis is posing challenges to the
security and defence capabilities of the European countries. It therefore underlines the need to
build on the results achieved so far and renew the commitment by Member States to improve
the availability of the necessary capabilities and to foster a more integrated, sustainable,
innovative and competitive European defence technological and industrial base all across the
EU, on which the capabilities of the future depend and which provides jobs, growth and
innovation.
3.

In this context, the Council underlines that security and defence matter. This should be
reflected in our communication strategy to raise public awareness. The Council also
underlines the importance of addressing the need to sustain sufficient expenditures related to
security and defence. Furthermore, the Council signals that European interdependence is
becoming increasingly paramount and therefore stresses the need to address these challenges
together, making the best use of scarce national and Union resources through increased and
more systematic cooperation and coordination among Member States, and making coherent
and effective use of EU's instruments and policies. This should contribute to a lessfragmented defence sector and to remedying capability shortfalls and avoiding redundancies.
In order to effectively support these efforts, consideration should be given to more clearly
defining the strategic role and priorities of the EU, also based on its contribution to global
security through the comprehensive approach and experience with CSDP missions and
operations, taking into account the evolving international context and the entry into force of
the Lisbon Treaty.

4.

The Council looks forward to the forthcoming discussion among Heads of State and
Government providing strategic guidance to strengthen CSDP and deepen cooperation on
security and defence in Europe, in accordance with the Lisbon Treaty. The Council strongly
supports a robust follow-up process to ensure and monitor concrete progress and sustain the
momentum across all three clusters of effectiveness, visibility and impact of CSDP, capability
development, and industry and market. As part of this process, it welcomes the analysis of the
EU’s strategic context set out in the High Representative’s CSDP report as a basis for further
assessing EU’s challenges and opportunities in the strategic environment and considering
priorities for further actions and for regional engagement. It invites the European Council to
consider requesting the High Representative to present first high level observations, based on
consultations with Member States, in Spring 2015.
The Council will revert to the issue of security and defence, and the concrete proposals and
work strands below, by mid-2014 on the basis of a progress report. It further invites the
European Council to remain seized of the matter and to provide renewed impetus at regular
intervals, on the basis of input from the High Representative, also acting as Vice President of
the European Commission, notably through the European External Action Service and the
European Defence Agency, as well as the European Commission, all acting in accordance
with their respective responsibilities and cooperating closely as required.

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Increasing the effectiveness, visibility and impact of CSDP
5.

CSDP crisis management missions and operations continue to provide a tangible and effective
contribution of the EU to international peace and security. Today the EU deploys more than
7000 staff, in 12 civilian missions and 4 military operations.

6.

The Council welcomes that a number of regional strategies are in place, in particular for the
Sahel and the Horn of Africa, to ensure a joined-up approach encompassing security that
enhances the overall impact of EU action and delivers enduring results. It underlines the need
to elaborate new regional strategies where necessary, or update existing ones, thereby further
strengthening the regional perspective and close cooperation between the different CSDP
missions and operations in a region. They should also take into account the sustainment of EU
actions through for example capacity building of partner countries and regional organisations.
The Council confirms the readiness of the EU to consider options for assuming further
security responsibilities in the Western Balkans when the conditions are right and in
coordination with all the relevant actors.

7.

The EU has a uniquely wide array of policies and tools at its disposal – spanning the
diplomatic, security, defence, financial, trade, and development fields. This is the EU’s main
strength at the international level. It is the world’s largest trading block and, collectively, the
biggest donor of development and humanitarian aid. The Council recalls the relevant Treaty
provision regarding consistency in external action and with other policies, and the
responsibility of the Council and the European Commission to cooperate to that effect,
assisted by the High Representative. In order to tackle both long standing and new security
threats, the EU needs to apply and further develop its comprehensive approach to all phases of
the conflict cycle, from early warning and prevention, through management to stabilization
and peace-building. In this context, practical improvements should be prepared for a smooth
transitioning of CSDP missions and operations, drawing on the whole array of available EU
and Member States’ instruments, thereby sustaining progress achieved in the field. The
Council supports a renewed impetus to a strategically coherent and effective use of the EU’s
and Member States’ array of instruments, including to improve EU structures’ shared
awareness and joint situation analysis, using the EU delegations in the field. It looks forward
to an ambitious Joint Communication from the High Representative and the European
Commission on the EU Comprehensive Approach, forthcoming well ahead of the FAC in
December, providing a basis for implementation, e.g. through an action plan, and allowing to
make full use of the role of the High Representative who is also one of the Vice Presidents of
the European Commission.

8.

In this context, the Council recalls as well the important nexus between development and
security as developed in the Agenda for Change: there cannot be sustainable development
without peace and security, and without development and poverty eradication there will be no
sustainable peace. The Council underlines that coherence between security and development,
taking into account human rights and human security, both at a policy and an operational
level, is a process that requires short-term improvements and longer term action. In this
context, it recalls its Conclusions of November 2007 and May 2012, and calls for a swift
follow-up of the adoption of the relevant Action Plan.

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9.

The Council notes that improvements in relation to the CSDP structures and their positioning
within the EEAS, as well as in relation to the comprehensive approach including as regards
maintaining active EEAS influence on programming of EU external assistance, should be
considered in the context of the EEAS Review. It further notes that the revised Crisis
Management Procedures also aim at facilitating greater efficiency and better synergies
between civilian and military planning. Recalling its Conclusions of December 2011 and July
2012, the Council stresses the need for making optimal use of all the CSDP structures in this
regard, and reiterates the importance of adequate resourcing, including civilian expertise, in
order for them to be able to deliver on their mandates.

10.

The Council stresses that supporting capacity-building of partner countries and regional
organizations in crisis situations is crucial to enable them to increasingly prevent or manage
crises by themselves. Enabling security forces (armed forces, police, gendarmerie, border
management) through training and advice in the framework of CSDP should be
complemented by, and may be dependent on, other measures to enhance their functioning by
promoting or facilitating that they have adequate and appropriate equipment, resources,
salaries and infrastructure. Such efforts should be part of a broader engagement on Security
Sector Reform and cannot be separated from EU actions to promote human rights, democracy
and good Governance. The Council stresses the need to consider with the recipient country as
well as with other international donors, as appropriate, issues of early identification of
equipment needs and resources, interoperability and international coherence, maintenance and
sustainability, and suitable governance. It agrees that, notwithstanding bilateral assistance by
Member States, further work is needed to more systematically address requirements for, and
possible limitations to provide, equipment necessary for security forces to be trained
effectively and sustainably by CSDP missions and operations, based on the principle of local
ownership and in full respect of applicable EU and international rules on arms exports. It calls
for concrete steps to improve the coherence and effectiveness of CSDP, wider EU and
Member States’ actions in this regard, with the aim of allowing for a more effective,
systematic and swift mobilization of EU and Member States’ instruments to achieve agreed
EU political objectives in crisis situations. Such an EU initiative could be applied to a number
of countries or regions and has particular relevance in the framework of the EU-Africa
summit of April 2014. It invites the High Representative, together with the European
Commission, to propose recommendations in the first semester of 2014, including on possible
priority areas for concrete implementation.

11.

The Council emphasizes that internal and external security dimensions are increasingly interlinked. It underlines the importance to continue to strengthen the ties between CSDP and
Freedom/Security/Justice (FSJ) actors, so as to foster a greater understanding of respective
objectives and ensure mutual benefits. This will, inter alia, help to cope with important
horizontal issues such as illegal immigration, organized crime and terrorism. In this context,
the greater contribution of EU agencies (EUROPOL, FRONTEX, CEPOL) as well as of
INTERPOL to CSDP should be further accelerated, as appropriate.

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12.

The Council emphasizes the increasing strategic value of rapid response. To be credible as a
security provider, the EU must be in a position to swiftly and effectively assess crises and
mobilize its various instruments to address them, preventing and managing conflict. Early
warning, advance planning, conflict prevention, regional security strategies and crisis
management planning and execution should be more closely linked. It notes that the revised
crisis management procedures also facilitate swift action when necessary. Stressing that the
Union needs to enhance its ability to plan and deploy the right civilian and military assets
rapidly and effectively on the whole spectrum of crisis management operations, the Council:
a.

encourages the EEAS to further improve the planning, conduct and support of civilian
missions and in particular to expedite their rapid deployment and early effective
delivery on their mandates. To this end, a roadmap has been established to tackle
shortcomings. In this context, the Council underlines the importance of its
implementation as well as of regular reporting on progress made and urges to continue
the efforts towards ensuring early access to financing of civilian deployments and
flexibility in using of available resources. Recognizing that political support for CSDP
Missions by Member States and host nations is key to their success, the Council also
calls for continued work on ensuring ownership, political buy-in and sustainability of
results achieved and looks forward to regular reporting on the respective work strands.
As regards mission support, the Council looks forward to the early finalization of the
recently launched feasibility study on setting up a Shared Services Centre. The Council
also underlines the need to take work forward on evaluation of the impact of CSDP
missions.

b.

underlines the need for concrete improvements in EU military rapid response
capabilities including the EU Battlegroups (EU BGs), with the aim of developing a
more flexible, multi-service suite of assets, and related mechanisms for making them
available on a voluntary basis. This includes:
–
improving the operational usability/deployability of the EU BGs by strengthening
their modularity, while maintaining their core capabilities, in order to make them
more adaptable to the entire range of possible crises and crisis management tasks
(including training and advice to third countries), in coherence with the work on
the identification of possible additional assets under the EU Rapid Response
Concept and stressing that any EU BG on standby should be capable of meeting
all the EU BG standards and criteria;
–
taking forward the agreed Framework Nation approach to fill the EU BG Roster
more systematically, while confirming Member States’ continued commitment to
the agreed level of ambition;
–
improving the role of the EU BGs as a vehicle for transformation, multinational
cooperation and interoperability including through proposals to enhance and
streamline the exercises involving EU BGs and improve the certification process;
–
more structured involvement of the EU BGs in advance planning including
contingency planning;
–
the regular use of consultations and exercises at the political level by participants
of a EUBG on stand-by, on a voluntary basis, in order to enable political
engagement and faster decision-making;

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–

remaining in close contact with NATO to develop proposals for synergies
between the EU and NATO in the field of rapid response where requirements
overlap, retain best practices, and avoid unnecessary duplication, as well as
preserve and improve when necessary and possible the communality between
standards and criteria, with due respect to the decision-making autonomy of the
EU and NATO in this context;
–
and agreeing to consider the financial aspects as part of the follow-up to the
European Council in view of the next review of the Athena mechanism.
Noting that the financial aspects should be taken forward as a separate work strand, the
Council endorses the proposals set out in the EEAS note on EU rapid response
capabilities and Battlegroups. It invites the High Representative to further elaborate the
proposals with the Member States with a view to a swift implementation.
c.

notes the possibility of looking into the appropriate use of relevant Treaty articles in the
field of rapid response, including Article 44 TEU.

13.

The Council also encourages further work to enhance cooperation in the field of emergency
humanitarian response, in line with internationally agreed guidelines.

14.

The Council recognizes the importance of networks in today’s globalized world and the need
for the EU to engage in all domains – land, air, maritime, space and cyber. It underlines the
importance of improving the EU's ability to respond to emerging security challenges and calls
for concrete steps, notably:
a.

to implement and take forward the CSDP related cyber defence aspects of the EU
Cybersecurity Strategy in line with the Council conclusions of June 2013, in full respect
of the responsibility of Member States in particular regarding protection of critical
infrastructure. The Council invites the High Representative, in cooperation with the
EDA and the European Commission to present in 2014 an EU Cyber Defence Policy
Framework to promote: the development of Member States’ cyber defence capabilities,
research and technologies through the development and implementation of a
comprehensive roadmap for strengthening cyber defence capabilities; the reinforced
protection of communication networks supporting CSDP structures, missions and
operations; the mainstreaming of cyber security into EU crisis management; raising
awareness through improved training, education and exercise opportunities for the
Member States; synergies with wider EU cyber policies and all relevant other actors and
agencies in Europe such as the EU Agency for Network and Information Security; to
cooperate with relevant international partners, notably with NATO, as appropriate;

b.

to adopt by June 2014 an EU Maritime Security Strategy, on the basis of elements
provided by a joint Communication from the European Commission and the High
Representative to be presented by early 2014, that includes CSDP within a holistic,
cross-sectoral and EU values-driven approach, taking into account Member States’
contributions and achievements, to enable improved coordination in this field. The
Council calls for the subsequent elaboration of action plans to implement the EU
Maritime Security Strategy including as regards CSDP, by the end of 2014. It stresses
the importance of safeguarding the EU’s strategic maritime security interests against a
broad range of risks and threats, enhancing EU and Member States’ capabilities, and
working comprehensively, making optimal use of existing structures and regulatory
frameworks, and in coordination with all relevant actors, to respond to maritime
challenges in strategic areas;
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15.

c.

to continue to develop CSDP support to border management as part of a wider and more
joined-up EU approach to help third states and regions better manage their borders, and
calls for the finalization of the concept for CSDP support to Integrated Border
Management by the end of 2013, recognizing its possible application to ongoing and
future CSDP activities. The Council acknowledges the need to address the SahelSaharan region security challenges, including those in Libya. In this context, it invites
the High Representative to present by early 2014 an options paper with proposals for
further action to support Sahel-Saharan border management, in response to local needs
and requirements, building on the concept for CSDP support to Integrated Border
Management and taking into account the importance of strengthening the African peace
and security architecture, as well as the EU strategy for security and development in the
Sahel;

d.

to strengthen the coherence in the EU response to energy challenges in the defence
sector, with a focus on fostering cooperation and finding new solutions to promote
energy efficiency in Member States’ armed forces and EU crisis management
operations, involving the Member States, the European Commission and the EDA, and
taking into account all relevant EU tools as well as the ongoing work on energy
efficiency in relevant other actors;

e.

to ensure the integrity, availability and security of space systems and promoting and
working towards the adoption of an international Code of Conduct on outer space
activities. The Council emphasizes the need to make optimal use of the EU Satellite
Centre, including by effectively addressing requirements for high resolution satellite
imagery, including from governmental sources, to support EU’s decision-making and
CSDP missions and operations.

The Council stresses its commitment to working in close collaboration with its partners. The
Union will continue building and operationalizing regional and bilateral partnerships to be
able to cooperate in crisis management. Work will continue to be taken forward within the
existing framework, as defined by various European Councils and subsequent arrangements
and with due respect to the institutional framework and decision-making autonomy of the EU.
In light of this, the Council:
a.
supports maximizing the unique and long-standing cooperation with the United Nations
in crisis management, building on the experience gained in working together in different
theatres, pursuing regular high level dialogue, including through the EU-UN Steering
Committee and taking forward the EU-UN Plan of Action to enhance CSDP support to
UN peacekeeping, including in the area of rapid response;
b.

underlines the importance of strong, coherent and mutually reinforcing EU-NATO
cooperation in crisis management, in particular in areas where both operate side by side,
and on military capability development where requirements overlap, in order to seek
synergies, ensure complementarity of effort and avoid unnecessary duplication; it
encourages further implementation of practical steps for effective EU cooperation with
NATO while keeping with the overall objective of building a true organization-toorganization relationship;

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16.

c.

welcomes the progress made in the peace and security partnership between the EU and
the African Union, strengthening dialogue, making the African Peace and Security
Architecture (APSA) fully operational and providing predictable funding for AU’s
peacekeeping operations, and looks forward to giving renewed impetus at the
forthcoming EU-Africa summit of April 2014;

d.

welcomes the close cooperation with the OSCE on shared issues in crisis management;

e.

encourages dialogue by engaging with regional fora with a security dimension;

f.

welcomes the valuable contributions and political support of partner countries to CSDP
missions and operations, and encourages pursuing the further signing of Framework
Participation Agreements. It further encourages and fosters contributing partners’
support to CSDP, with a focus on non-EU NATO Allies, strategic partners, partner
countries in the neighbourhood, notably the Mediterranean and Eastern partners
(including through the newly established Eastern Partnership Panel on CSDP) and other
individual partner countries, including by developing regular security and defence
dialogues within the framework of EU political dialogues with these partners, and
offering opportunities for training and advice, including through the European Security
and Defence College. It notes that priority should be given to cooperation with partners
who share with the EU common values and principles and are able and willing to
support EU crisis management efforts.

The Council looks forward to the adoption of the Council Decision on the arrangements for
the implementation by the Union of the solidarity clause (Article 222 TFEU).

Enhancing the development of capabilities
17.

To deliver on security responsibilities, the Council reiterates that EU Member States must be
ready to provide future-oriented capabilities, both in the civilian domain and in the field of
defence. It underlines the need to enhance the development of capabilities, as they underpin
the EU’s ability to act as a security provider. It recalls that, on a national and voluntary basis,
EU Member States develop capabilities and make them available to the EU.

18.

Taking into account the frequent recourse to missions which are civilian in nature, the Council
acknowledges that the demand for deployable civilian experts will remain high and underlines
its determination to improve the generation of civilian capabilities. To this end, Member
States are encouraged notably to continue to improve at national level, in full respect of
national competences, and, as appropriate, also at EU level together with the EEAS and the
Commission, mechanisms and procedures to recruit and train civilian personnel for CSDP.
The Council encourages the EEAS to continue further work on improving recruitment
procedures and increase transparency, including for senior positions, taking into account the
nature of these missions, using capabilities provided by Member States. The Council
considers that the ambitions and priority areas initially agreed at Feira European Council in
2000 and subsequently taken forward, could be revisited to take account of the 10 years of EU
experience and lessons identified from civilian Missions and capability development. In this
light, the Council stresses the importance of fully implementing the Civilian Capability
Development Plan and further work on tools to help address identified gaps, including by
finalizing the Goalkeeper project and developing a List of generic civilian CSDP tasks.
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19.

The Council underlines that a more systematic and longer-term approach to European defence
cooperation has become essential to preserve and develop military capabilities, as well as the
technological and industrial base that underpins them, especially in the context of today’s
financial austerity. Cooperation allows Member States to develop, acquire, operate and
maintain capabilities together, thereby achieving economies of scale and enhancing military
effectiveness. In this regard, the Council calls upon Member States to deliver key capabilities
through cooperative projects and encourages them to make best use of the EU Code of
Conduct on Pooling and Sharing in their national defence planning processes, with the
support of the European Defence Agency (EDA).

20.

The Council reiterates the need to continue good co-ordination and mutual reinforcement with
NATO in order to ensure complementarity and increase coherence, in particular regarding the
EU military capability development process and the NATO defence planning process in their
outcomes and timelines, with due respect to the institutional framework and decision-making
autonomy of both organizations.

21.

With a view to developing a systematic and longer term approach, the Council:
a.
calls for the effective implementation and use of the Capability Development Plan as a
tool to support and orientate national capability planning, identify the capabilities
required, and seize collaborative opportunities;
b.

underlines the need to further increase transparency and information sharing on defence
planning to allow national planners and decision-makers to consider greater
convergence of capability needs and timelines, with the aim of widening opportunities
for cooperation from the outset;

c.

promotes the consolidation of demand through, notably, harmonized requirements
covering the whole-life cycle;

d.

calls to examine the further development of incentives for cooperation in Europe,
including by investigating non-market distorting fiscal measures for collaborative
projects in accordance with the existing European law;

e.

encourages synergies between bilateral, sub-regional, European and multilateral
initiatives with a view to sharing information and contributing to improved coherence,
with the support of the EDA;

f.

calls on Member States to develop proposals to enhance multinational cooperation in
the area of enablers and build on existing cooperative models in the area of strategic lift,
ranging from multinational coordination centres (Athens Multinational Sealift
Coordination Centre, Movement Coordination Centre Europe) to the European Air
Transport Command (EATC), which integrates all transferred national responsibilities
and resources in a multinational headquarters. It welcomes the increased pooling and
sharing of European military transport capabilities after the announcement by Spain and
Italy of their will to join the EATC and notes that the EATC will facilitate cooperation
on the entry in service of the A400M multi-role airlifter within five Member States’ air
forces. It calls upon Member States to explore possibilities to replicate in particular the
EATC model to areas such as transport helicopters, maritime capabilities, or protection
of armed forces, including medical evacuation;

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g.

calls for further policy guidance to support systematic and long-term defence
cooperation, focusing on closing identified capability gaps within CSDP, including by
examining the idea of a strategic defence roadmap.

22.

The Council remains committed to delivering key capabilities through concrete projects by
Member States supported by EDA. It therefore:
–
welcomes the substantive progress achieved in enhancing Europe’s Air-to-Air
Refuelling capacity, especially as regards the procurement and/or pooled operation of a
Multi-Role Tanker Transport fleet (with initial operational capacity in 2020), under the
lead of the Netherlands, with the development of the pooled procurement strategy in
close cooperation with OCCAR, the pooled operational concept, and possible synergies
in the field of certification, qualification, in-service support, and training. The Council
calls on all participating Member States to continue their work on reducing the
shortfalls by increasing the fleet inventory and see if their investment plans allow
joining the MRTT project. Developing synergies and interoperability and reducing
fragmentation between the various owners will reduce the whole-life cost. The Council
also calls for greater commitments as regards short term solutions, including to increase
interoperability between tankers/receivers through air-to-air refuelling clearance trials,
as organized by Italy, and potentially through access to unallocated hours in the UK
Voyager programme;
–
welcomes the progress achieved in stepping up cooperation among Member States on
Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS): the establishment of a user community for
present and near-future use and the preparation of a programme on European Medium
Altitude Long Endurance in the 2020-2025 timeframe;
–
underlines the need to intensify EU-level cooperation on RPAS. In this regard, it
encourages the European Commission to establish the regulatory framework for an
initial RPAS integration into the European Aviation System by 2016. It supports
appropriate R&D activities for this integration to be undertaken by SESAR (Single
European Sky ATM Research) Joint Undertaking as soon as possible, as well as close
synergies between EDA, SESAR Joint Undertaking and the Member States in the
development of technologies needed for air traffic insertion and anti-collision and
complementarity between EASA and EDA in the development of a pertinent
certification system;
–
underlining the need to prepare the next generation of Governmental Satellite
Communication, welcomes the roadmap on Governmental Satellite communication;
–
welcomes the development of concrete projects in the area of cyber defence, in the
context of a comprehensive and cooperative EU approach on cyber security and
defence, on the basis of EDA initiatives in: training and exercises, protection of CSDP
structures and missions and operations and research. It encourages the timely
development and implementation of a comprehensive roadmap for strengthening Cyber
Defence Capabilities involving all actors in this domain.

23.

The Council calls for strong management of these programmes, on the basis of consolidated
requirements and increased cooperation between EDA and OCCAR, in accordance with the
mechanisms set out in EDA-OCCAR administrative arrangement.

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24.

The Council invites the European Commission to maximise cross-fertilisation between EDA
programmes and the outcome of EU civil research programmes in areas of dual use
technologies such as, inter alia, RPAS and Governmental Satellite Communications in order
to support activities by Member States in these areas. The Council encourages the European
Commission, the EDA and the EEAS to examine modalities for dual-use capabilities, starting
with pilot cases such as RPAS, air lift, future transport helicopters, satellite communications,
cyber security and maritime security, in order to support Member States’ activities in these
areas.

25.

While underlining the operational and financial impact of Single European Sky (SES) on
military aviation, the Council welcomes the progress achieved so far, and encourages the
EDA to continue its efforts to ensure that the views and needs of the defence community,
including in support of Member States, are taken into account. It encourages the active
participation of Member States in this work.

26.

Acknowledging that the development of technologies is a prerequisite for the EU to preserve
and develop its maritime capabilities, the Council calls for coordinated civil-military
interaction in maritime research and technology to support cost-effective capabilities,
European industry’s global competitiveness and European non-dependence. The Council
reiterates the need to improve information sharing across the range of European maritime
actors, including building on the synergies provided by the technological solutions of the
maritime surveillance network developed by Member States, supported by the EDA, and the
Commission’s work towards a Common Information Sharing Environment.

27.

The Council underlines the importance of cooperation for new solutions to increase energy
efficiency in defence and crisis management. Recalling the EU Energy 2020 strategy and its
headline targets, the Council reiterates the need to contribute to innovative solutions in
research and technology to improve the effectiveness of operations and the sustainability of
European deployments. To this end, the Council supports increased efforts between all
civilian and military stakeholders, including within EDA’s Military Green initiative, and
encourages the EDA and the European Commission to work with Member States on a more
coordinated approach to identify possible objectives and focus areas of action to increase
energy efficiency in defence and crisis management, including through a possible strategic
framework.

28.

The Council welcomes European initiatives aiming at protecting critical space infrastructures;
thus supporting efforts in further developing a civil-military Space Situational Awareness
capability in Europe and further calls for increasing attention to cyber and maritime
challenges in this area.

29.

The Council calls for further progress in concrete projects related to Countering Improvised
Explosive Devices (C-IED) and to consider building on the EU Concept for C-IED towards a
Comprehensive EU Strategy to counter this threat.

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Strengthening defence industry
30.

The Council recalls that, including in the context of a fully comprehensive CSDP, a more
integrated, sustainable, innovative and competitive European Defence Technological and
Industrial Base (EDTIB) remains crucial for developing and sustaining Europe's military
capabilities. This can also enhance Europe’s strategic autonomy, strengthening its ability to
act with partners. To this end, further efforts must be made to strengthen the EDTIB, while
further reflecting on the way forward, to ensure operational effectiveness and security of
supply, while remaining globally competitive and stimulating jobs, innovation and growth
across the EU. To this end, these efforts should be inclusive with opportunities for defence
industry in the EU, balanced and in full compliance with EU law.
In this context, the Council welcomes the Communication of the European Commission
“Towards a more competitive and efficient defence and security sector” aimed at
strengthening Europe’s defence industry and enhancing the efficiency of the defence
equipment market. It encourages the European Commission and the EDA, in close
cooperation with the Member States, to identify and further develop concrete measures in
support of the EDTIB, including in order to ensure its development across Europe. It notes
that these issues will be further discussed in the context of the European Council and its
follow-up.

31.

A well-functioning defence market based on openness, equal treatment and opportunities, and
transparency for all European suppliers is crucial. The Council calls on the European
Commission to ensure the full implementation of the two defence directives on procurement
in the fields of security and defence and on intra-EU transfers of defence related products,
without prejudice to Article 346 TFEU. The Council stresses the importance of fair market
conditions across the EU as well as for access to the global market . It takes note that the
European Commission with the EDA will monitor the impact of both directives on the EDTIB
and on cooperation in Europe and to see whether the directives have opened-up the market for
subcontractors from all over Europe.

32.

The Council stresses the importance of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the defence
supply chain especially as a source of innovation and key enablers for competitiveness. In this
regard, it invites the European Commission to investigate together with Member States the
possibilities for additional measures to the framework of Directive 2009/81 to stimulate
participation of European SMEs in the supply chain. It calls for further action to promote
greater access of SMEs to both Defence and Security markets, as well as R&T. It invites the
Commission to ensure the full implementation of its SMEs instruments and to encourage a
strong involvement of SMEs in future EU R&T programmes. It encourages Member States to
make full use of the relevant provisions of the two defence directives for SMEs in order to
maximize the potential benefits. The Council encourages the European Commission’s
intention to foster EU-wide the development of value chains in the defence industry, in
particular by strengthening the role of system providers to allow for a broad participation of
SMEs in the defence market. It invites the European Commission, in close cooperation with
the Member States, EDA and by promoting the active involvement of industry, to submit
concrete proposals in the context of the progress report on how to promote regional networks
and strategic clusters in line with a market-driven, competitive-based approach and
geographical footprint, as well as proposals including financial options on supporting SMEs.

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33.

Moreover, the Council recognizes the importance of security of supply to enable further
defence cooperation and ensure freedom of action, as well as the effective functioning of the
European Defence Market and the EDTIB. In this regard, the Council welcomes the adoption
within the EDA of the enhanced Framework Arrangement on Security of Supply, and urges
Member States to implement its provisions in line with their constitutional obligations. It
encourages the European Commission with the EDA to continue their efforts to enhance and
broaden support arrangements on security of supply at the European level.

34.

It also looks forward to tangible measures on standards and certification – which will benefit
governments and industry alike by reducing costs and enhancing interoperability. The Council
encourages the EDA, in close cooperation with the European Commission, to develop by
mid-2014 a roadmap for the development of defence industrial standards on the basis of the
preparatory work conducted by the EDA, based on the European Defence Standards
Reference system (EDSTAR) and its experiences in the field of military airworthiness, while
avoiding duplication with existing standards. Moreover, the Council encourages the EDA to
produce options on how to increase mutual recognition of military certification within the
European Union.

35.

The Council encourages Member States to continue to invest in R&T in order to retain
defence R&T expertise and contribute to innovation and competitiveness. Recognizing the
consequences of the trend to cut in defence R&T, the Council encourages the Member States,
EDA and the European Commission to preserve and further develop identified critical
defence technologies, increase collaborative investments, maximize synergies between
national and EU instruments and monitor the development of critical defence technologies.

36.

The Council calls for concrete actions to exploit the potential for synergies between civil and
defence research, notably: intensified cooperation between the European Commission,
Member States and EDA in research programmes; innovative solutions for stimulating private
funding in R&T; and proposals for relevant research topics which could be funded under a
Preparatory Action from the European Commission on CSDP-related research, to be prepared
together with Member States, EDA and EEAS. As a matter of priority, the Council
encourages the European Commission and EDA to work on solutions with the Member
States, industry and research institutions to set up an EU framework allowing and improving
the mutual use of civilian and military research results for dual use applications, including
results on the so called “key enabling technologies" stemming from Horizon 2020 and other
civil focus programmes.

37.

The Council underlines that its conclusions concerning the enhancement of military capability
development and strengthening defence industry addressed to the EDA constitute the Council
guidelines for EDA for its work in 2014, within the context of the Council decision defining
the statute, seat and operating rules of EDA (Council decision 2011/411/CFSP of 12 July
2011)."

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