On 29 April 2020 took place, by videoconference, an informal meeting of EU Defence Policy Directors focusing on the impact of the pandemic on the defence-military sector, particularly as regards the ongoing Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions and the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO).

The General Director of National Defence Policy and International Relations, Dr. Konstantinos Balomenos, highlighted in his intervention the importance of military contribution in support of national efforts in response to the pandemic and the need to take stock of possible lessons for strategic policy-making in the future, through the tools provided by the EU.

He proposed to reinforce the CSDP missions and operations in the area of Strategic Communication (STRATCOM) and to combat disinformation, while he highlighted PESCO as a tool for responding to health crises of a similar scale taking into account the experience gained from the current juncture.

On the PESCO Strategic Review, he pointed out that it should reflect the principles of the EU Global Strategy and ensure that the Level of Ambition is maintained, taking into account the new challenges that threaten the Union.

During his intervention, he supported the strengthening of the operational dimension of PESCO and proposed to elaborate on the EU’s internal and external security relations, as both are affected by the new challenges, in order to strengthen the EU’s resilience and preserve solidarity among EU member states.