• Luxembourg in the European Union (EU) contribution to collective security efforts and of acting autonomously when and where the need arises, with their partners wherever possible. This ambition must be founded on the EU’s ability to use the full range of global crisis management tools. The Europeans must have their own planning and decision-making capability. The European Union is motivated by a project of peace, security and prosperity. Within the development of a European Security and Defence Policy, it contributes to stability efforts in its zone of influence, beyond continental Europe. The withdrawal of the United Kingdom does not alter the relevance of the EU Global Strategy for security, particularly in its defence-related aspects. The security interests of the EU and its Member States underline the need to continue to work with the United Kingdom and other European partner countries. In order to develop this stronger, more effective European defence, it will be necessary to enhance cooperation between Member States in the development of relevant military capabilities in the framework of a sustained defence effort, along the lines of what Luxembourg is already doing, for instance within BENELUX, in particular with a view to improving the EU’s strategic and operational autonomy. Common planning and funding resources (European Defence Agency, European Defence Fund) will be useful for harmonizing capability investment policy, so as to ensure that defence budgets are used in the most rational, relevant and effective manner, and to enhance synergies between EU Member States in the area of defence. The Global Strategy for security presented in 2016 aims to provide a new framework for European foreign and security policy. It defines the four fundamental interests of the European Union: peace and security, prosperity, democracy and a rules-based global order. The strategy also emphasizes the importance of prevention to counter instability and the need to take account of the links between domestic and external security. In the pursuit of its interests, the European Union observes four principles: unity, participation, responsibility and partnerships. The EU’s strength lies in federating States that pool their political and operational strength. In future, emphasis must be placed on major common investment programmes supporting fair and inclusive development of the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base and a common defence policy. Luxembourg supports the establishment of Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) for defence and welcomes the European Defence Action Plan. Luxembourg shares the objectives of the new European Union defence strategy and actively supports evolution towards a strengthening of European defence policy in complementarity with NATO. The EU can neither remain on the sidelines in the face of the global challenges nor overly rely on others at the risk of endangering its own stability and losing strategic weight and importance. The European Union must project peace and stability beyond its borders. The European Union Member States, including Luxembourg, must shoulder more responsibility for strengthening Europe’s security and defence in a challenging geopolitical environment, in the interest of the security and well-being of their citizens. The European Union and its Member States must be capable of making a decisive Luxembourg will continue to take part in the EU’s common acquisition programmes, in particular within the European Defence Agency. It will also continue to deploy troops and military capabilities in military operations worldwide, and to participate in EU Battlegroups. 19