Conclusies van de Raad over het gemeenschappelijk veiligheids- en defensiebeleid (en)

COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

Council conclusions on Common Security and Defence Policy

EDUCATION, YOUTH, CULTURE and SPORT Council meeting Brussels, 25 - 26 November 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

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 less-fragmented 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

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

• 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

• 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;

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 EUs 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;

• 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 Sahel-Saharan 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

• 15. 

  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-to-organization relationship;

• 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

• 16. 

  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

• 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;

• 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

• 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

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 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

• 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 /CFSP of 12 July 2011)."