They discussed the current geopolitical and security challenges of the European Union with a focus on Afghanistan, strengthening the Union’s security and defence and the EU’s Strategic Compass. They discussed the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), the development of capabilities and resilience, the importance of cooperation with NATO, the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and other partners, and the ongoing Common Security and Defence Policy operations and missions.

The high officials touched upon the strategic and political consequences of developments in Afghanistan in the context of the further development of the security and defence of the European Union, strategic autonomy, cooperation with NATO, strengthening the transatlantic link, the Western Balkans and the situation in the Sahel.

They agreed that the EU’s Strategic Compass is also of vital importance, as it should provide strategic and concrete guidance on further capability development, the upgrading of policies and their better integration, as well as the increased responsiveness and effectiveness of the Union’s Common Security and Defence Policy operations and missions. A detailed and comprehensive analysis of developments in Afghanistan and other crisis hotspots, lessons learned from crisis management and stabilisation of the European Union, as well as other international stakeholders, will also be of great importance.