The foreign ministers of the 27 EU countries instructed the head of the community's diplomacy, Josep Borrell, in November this year to present a draft of the first European military concept called the EU Strategic Compass, EU Council said in a statement.

In line with the strategic agenda 2019-2024, the Council calls on the EU to pursue a more strategic course of action and increase its capacity to act autonomously. The EU must promote its interests and values ​​and be able to confront global threats and security challenges, it says. 

The Council encourages further work to strengthen the EU's mission and operational capabilities and to consider timely and effective decision-making. More work needs to be done to encourage Member States to improve force formation and provide sufficient funds and personnel for missions and operations, the document says.

Ministers stress that a strong EU in terms of security and defense will bring tangible benefits to transatlantic and global cooperation. The Council reaffirms the central role of international partnership with multilateral organizations such as the UN and NATO.