EU leaders on Friday will discuss efforts aimed at bolstering the bloc's ability to tackle security threats, as Brussels looks to convince sceptics over its drive for a more assertive Europe.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will join the video summit to talk cooperation in the face of worries from some member states that the EU's push could undermine the US-backed alliance.
Debate has raged for decades over what role Brussels should play on defence, and individual nations have often been reluctant to agree moves to integrate military capabilities.
France is championing a doctrine of "strategic autonomy" -- arguing the coronavirus pandemic and former US leader Donald Trump's threats to cut off allies show Europe has to be able to stand alone.
Draft conclusions for Friday's meeting seen by AFP foresee leaders reaffirming that "in the face of increased global instability, the EU needs to take more responsibility for its security", but no concrete new announcements are due.
- 'A stronger EU' -
The 27 nations will insist they are looking to strengthen the EU's partnership with NATO and work closely with the new US leadership under President Joe Biden.
"This global cooperation will benefit from a stronger EU in the field of security and defence," the draft says.
Leaders will also focus on a drive by Europe to better protect itself from cyber attacks, and ask Brussels to come up with a roadmap for boosting the development of strategic technologies.
EU ambitions on common defence have gathered steam in recent years, and all but two nations signed up to the landmark PESCO (Permanent Structured Cooperation) pact in 2017 to increase cooperation.
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