EU pushes for more defence autonomy amid Afghanistan fallout

Defence and foreign ministers to discuss ways to improve their response to future crises and reduce reliance on the US.

Still reeling from the European Union’s shortcomings in Afghanistan, officials from the 27-nation bloc have met to discuss ways to improve their response to future crises and reduce reliance on the United States. European ministers of defence and foreign affairs gathered on Thursday in Slovenia for talks also involving NATO and UN officials to look at ways to improve the bloc’s operational engagement and develop a rapid response force capable of operating in difficult military theatres. Ministers will discuss plans for the so-called strategic compass, a document aiming at harmonising crisis management and defining defence ambitions for the bloc, that is expected to be drafted before the end of the year.