In this meeting, chaired by the high representative of the European Union for Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell, other issues such as EU priorities in the military field, the participation and strategic review of Permanent Structured Cooperation programs have also been discussed (PESCO) and the Strategic Compass.
In his speech to the Plenary Robles he stressed that "the most significant of this first stage PESCO has been the spirit of cooperation that we have all managed to strengthen, as the projects show" and has pointed out that now "we must not lose momentum, nor deviate from the path ".
The minister has also insisted that the strategic review of Defense policies "should serve to make future capabilities increasingly European, more cooperative and more oriented towards the real operational needs of the European Union, and, of course, also of NATO. "
Regarding the future of the Sophia operation, the minister has been "deeply disappointed" by how "a false closure" was raised, without showing citizens a "serious and rigorous balance." "Sophia has demonstrated our solidarity and commitment to the problems of the African continent", especially in "an area as sensitive as humanitarian issues" and "has contributed to changing the perception of Europe," he stressed.
In this regard, the minister has insisted that since the beginning of the Operation "551 vessels have been destroyed and 151 alleged traffickers have been brought to justice." In addition, the Sophia units "have participated in 319 security emergencies to save life at sea, rescuing 44,826 migrants."
And he stressed that "Spanish ships alone have intervened in 82 emergencies and participated in the rescue of 14,641 migrants."
The senior representative has fully shared the need to highlight the achievements of Operation Sophia.
In this same framework, the Minister of Defense has also held a bilateral meeting with her German counterpart, Annegret Kramp-Karenbauer, in which they have discussed cooperation between the EU and NATO, as well as initiatives related to the Sahel.