NATO-EU Joint Declaration Released After 5 Years... "Strengthening Cooperation Against Security Threats from Russia and China"

From the left in the photo are Charles Michel, President of the European Council (EU), Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission (EU), shaking hands after concluding the NATO-EU joint press conference held on the 10th (local time) at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. / Photo by NATO

[Asia Economy Reporter Noh Kyung-jo] The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU) announced on the 10th (local time) that they will strengthen their cooperative relationship in response to security threats and strategic competition posed by Russia and China.

Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General, Charles Michel, President of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, signed a joint declaration on this matter at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.

In the joint declaration, both parties stated, "As the scope and scale of the current security threats and challenges evolve, we will elevate our partnership to a higher level based on long-standing cooperation."

They expressed their determination to further strengthen existing cooperation in various areas, including geopolitical competition, protection of critical infrastructure, emerging threats, and security impacts caused by climate change.

This joint declaration is the third since NATO and the EU began formal cooperation over 20 years ago. The previous joint declaration was issued five years ago in 2018.

Amid the prolonged Russia-Ukraine war, this also solidifies the unity between NATO and the EU, centered on the United States. The joint declaration pointed out, "Euro-Atlantic security is facing the greatest threat in decades," and stated, "Russia's brutal war against Ukraine violates international law and the UN Charter, undermining European and global security and stability." It emphasized, "Russia must immediately cease this war and withdraw from Ukraine."

They expressed solidarity with Ukraine. The joint declaration specified, "We reaffirm our continued support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders."

Regarding China, it mentioned, "Increasing assertiveness and policies present challenges we must address." This is the first time that specific countries such as China and Russia have been explicitly named in the joint declaration.

Both sides said, "NATO and the EU play complementary and enhanced roles in supporting international peace and security," and "We encourage NATO allies that are not EU member states and EU member states that are not NATO members to participate as fully as possible in these plans."

NATO has a total of 30 member countries, including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Among the 27 EU countries, 21 belong to NATO. Of the remaining six, Sweden and Finland are in the process of joining NATO.