EU seeks to take greater responsibility for own security

BRUSSELS - The European Union leaders said that Europe must take greater responsibility for its own security in the conclusions published Friday following a two-day summit.

They agreed to take concrete steps to strengthen European defense by enhancing defense investment, capability development, and operational readiness.

"These initiatives enhance its strategic autonomy while complementing and reinforcing the activities of NATO," the conclusions said.

During the meetings, EU leaders had an exchange of views with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on the two blocs' cooperation. They underlined the further deepening of EU-NATO cooperation, "in full respect of the principles of inclusiveness, reciprocity and decision-making autonomy of the EU."

On European defense, the leaders called for the further developing of the PESCO (permanent structured cooperation), launched by 25 of the bloc's 28 members, saying a new set of projects will be agreed in November.

The leaders also welcomed progress on military mobility and stressed the need to strengthen capabilities against cyber security threats from outside the EU.