In a resolution adopted on Wednesday by 444 votes in favour, 96 against and 86 abstentions, the European Parliament meeting in Strasbourg supported the proposal to establish a so-called EU Rapid Deployment Capacity (RDC).
The forces consisting of up to 5,000 troops, would enable the EU to effectively prevent or react to crises and protect the European Union?’s citizens and principles across the world.
The RDC should be designed to reflect the new geopolitical context and reach full operational capability by 2025 at the latest, said the resolution.
It stressed? the necessity to conduct regular joint military exercises, in line with NATO standards.
The resolution? said that? for this rapid deployment capability to be effective, it should have permanent operational headquarters with appropriate funding, staff, and infrastructure and integrated secure communication.
It also allows third countries to be involved in EU rapid missions where necessary.
In 2021, 14 EU Ministers of Defence called on EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell to develop a proposal for a new EU rapid reaction force to respond to international crises outside the EU.
This call to action took shape in the March 2022 Strategic Compass, with its commitment to establish an EU RDC by 2025.
Source: Kuwait News Agency