The European Union is set to boost its defence capabilities to counter Russia amid rising global tensions, according to a draft summit declaration seen by Politico.
The leaders will meet informally next week in Granada, Spain.
We will strengthen our defence readiness and develop the European defence technological and industrial base, including with more investments.
The full-scale war in Ukraine and the prospect of Donald Trump’s return to the US presidency next year, which could lead to a reduction in military support for Kyiv, have forced Brussels to rethink its approach to defence.
The so-called Granada Declaration, first reported by Bloomberg, aims to prepare the political direction for the next European Commission.
According to the document, EU enlargement will strengthen “European sovereignty and is a geo-strategic investment in peace, security, stability and prosperity on our continent.”
However, both the EU and potential members of the bloc “to undertake the necessary internal groundwork” on enlargement.
The draft statement could still change ahead of the summit in Spain on October 6.
