EU approves security, defense plan of action in next decade
March 22, 2022, 3:30 pm

EU approves security, defense plan of action in next decade

EU's top diplomat Josep Borrell attends the 14th ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting at the Royal Palace of El Pardo near Madrid on December 16, 2019. (File photo AFP)

The Xinhua reported, the European Union's (EU) foreign and defense ministers on Monday approved the bloc's security and defense plan of action which, among others, will see it establishing a rapid reaction force with up to 5,000 troops that could be swiftly deployed in case of a crisis.

Josep Borrell, the EU's high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, told a press conference on Monday that the plan of action, known as the "Strategic Compass," was not a response to what was happening in Ukraine, but a "turning point for the EU as a security provider" and "a very much important step for European security and defense policy."

The Compass gives the EU an ambitious plan of action for strengthening the EU's security and defense policy by 2030.

Borrell said the Compass gave the EU the possibility to "act firmly and united" and will help it step up its ability to react in response to crisis, increase its resilience and invest in the required capabilities and defense innovation.

A flag of the European Union can be seen fluttering outside the European commission headquarters in Brussels. (File photo: AFP)

"The strength of our Union lies in unity, solidarity and determination. The objective of the Strategic Compass is to make the EU a stronger and more capable security provider," the bloc said in a separate statement announcing the agreement, emphasizing that the Compass "will enhance the EU's strategic autonomy."

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The program involves, among other things, the development of an EU Space Strategy for Security and Defense, creating an EU cyber defense policy to better prepare for and respond to cyberattacks and expanding intelligence analysis capabilities.

Source: xinhua

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”