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“An ambitious strengthening of NATO-EU cooperation is urgently needed,” German and Dutch diplomats wrote in a “Food for Thought” paper now circulating among allied and EU governments.
In the paper, published ahead of an upcoming NATO leaders’ summit, the diplomats noted that both NATO and the EU were “engaged in strategic review processes” and that “we should seize this opportunity and embark on a journey towards joint leverage, which will benefit the EU and NATO” countries, “irrespectively of whether they are members of the EU, NATO, or both organizations.”
The paper, a copy of which was obtained by POLITICO, proposes a new “joint declaration” by leaders of the EU and NATO, and stronger political consultations. The consultations, it argues, should address a variety of current issues, including Russia’s “aggressive actions,” international terrorism, cyber threats and China’s “assertiveness and growing influence.”
The paper comes as NATO leaders are looking forward to celebrating a rejuvenated transatlantic alliance at their summit on June 14, which will be U.S. President Joe Biden’s first visit to the alliance headquarters since his inauguration. Allies in recent months have expressed relief over no longer facing the constant uncertainty and combustibility of former U.S. leader Donald Trump.
At the same time, the alliance has struggled with internal tensions, particularly between Turkey and several allies, including Greece and France.
The paper seeks to bring together a number of different institutions, urging them to present a more united front in appearances and statements. And in one potentially risky move, the paper proposes “joint travels and statements of the NATO Secretary-General and the President of the European Council, the President of the European Commission, and/or High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy when appropriate.”
The EU was recently engulfed in tensions that emerged during a joint trip to Turkey by Council President Charles Michel and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. During a photo op, von der Leyen was left without a chair, banished to a distant sofa. But perhaps adding NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg to trips would necessitate a sofa for everyone.
The paper calls for a wide array of increased cooperation, including the regular participation of NATO and EU officials in their respective meetings, closer coordination on intelligence operations and working toward more “secure means of communication and a broader exchange of classified documents and information.”
The paper also advocates for creating a joint “informal” working group on emerging and disruptive technologies.
While the paper urges stronger ties between NATO and the EU, the U.S. has long bristled at such suggestions, warning that any cooperation should not create redundancies. And while Biden and his national security team have expressed renewed commitment to NATO and have pledged to reinvigorate ties with European allies, the U.S. president has yet to nominate an ambassador either to the EU or to NATO.
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