May 9 2025

Video: The European Union, a unique and essential partner for NATO

BRUSSELS - NATO and the European Union (EU) have been strong partners since the early 2000s. The two organisations share the same values and strategic interests. They also face the same challenges and work side by side in many domains, including crisis management, military mobility, maritime security and cyber defence, just to name a few – with the common goal of supporting international peace and security.

They are increasing their cooperation in other areas, like the development of new technologies, and they are working together to strengthen defence industrial cooperation.

NATO and the EU stand united against Russia’s brutal and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine, and support Ukraine upholding its right to self-defence. With 23 member countries in common, NATO and the EU play complementary roles and they regularly report on progress in terms of cooperation.

In January 2023, both organisations signed the third Joint Declaration on EU-NATO Cooperation to further strengthen and expand the partnership between NATO and the EU.