The strategy, dubbed Strategic Compass, aims to see the EU shift to a notably heftier set of military ambitions, covering what the official announcement called “four pillars: act, invest, partner and secure”.
The plans include the creation of an EU rapid deployment force of up to 5,000 soldiers, increased military exercises on land and sea, boosting intelligence and cyber capabilities, increased defence spending, and strengthening ties with strategic partners such as NATO and the UN.
The plan also intends to “develop more tailored bilateral partnerships with like-minded countries and strategic partners, such as the US, Canada, Norway, the UK, Japan and others”, which Mr Macron is believed to have been particularly keen on during talks.
Furthermore, plans to increase defence spending are being discussed, with Mr Macron putting forward the idea of more joint EU borrowing, Ms Carrier said.
