2023 Joint Declaration On EU-NATO Cooperation: To Address Challenges Posed By China

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, European Council President Charles Michel and European Committee President Ursula von der Leyen signed a NATO-EU Joint Declaration at NATO headquarters in Brussels on January 10th and announced at a subsequent joint press conference that the two organizations will strengthen their partnership to promote and safeguard peace, freedom and prosperity in the Euro-Atlantic area.

They condemned in the strongest possible terms Russia’s aggression, expressed full solidarity with Ukraine and reiterate unwavering and continued support for its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders. Compared to the 2016 and 2018 Declarations, this is the first time both organizations address the challenges posed by the Authoritarian Chinese regime in values and democratic principles using multiple means – political, economic, technological and military.

The growing assertiveness and policies posed by China are challenges that must be addressed in an era of growing strategic competition. Ursula von der Leyen said Ukraine should acquire all the military assistance it needs, and the EU would extend sanctions to “those who military support Russia.”

The declarations also emphasized that both organizations will expand cooperation in increasingly important areas of geostrategic competition, including the protection of critical infrastructure, emerging and disruptive technologies, space, the security implications of climate change, as well as foreign information manipulation and interference.