NATO ministers agree on proposals to deepen NATO-EU cooperation

NATO foreign ministers on Tuesday agreed on over 40 proposals to deepen NATO-European Union (EU) cooperation, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told media following the meeting.

All 42 proposals made by two blocs focus on seven key areas, including countering hybrid threats, maritime security and cyber defence, which have been identified in a joint declaration by NATO and the EU at the Warsaw Summit in July.

"On maritime, we enhanced cooperation between Operations Sea Guardian and Sophia in the Mediterranean. On cyber, we will strengthen our mutual participation in exercises, and foster research," Stoltenberg said, Xinhua reported.

According to the proposals, NATO and the EU will also advance capacity-building cooperation with partner countries, including Georgia, Ukraine and Tunisia.

Moreover, the two organizations will reinforce the "coherence" in the development of their defense capabilities.

"I think today we really mark a milestone in our efforts to build our cooperation and to strengthen the partnership between NATO and the EU," Stoltenberg said, adding, "Neither organization has the full range of tools to address new challenges alone."

Ministers were joined by EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini as well as representatives of Finland and Sweden.

--IANS

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