Plan to guide future EU military decisions

BRUSSELS, July 8 (UPI) -- Top European defense officials endorsed a plan Tuesday to guide future national defense investment decisions for the European Union.

The Capability Development Plan, developed by the European Defense Agency, 26 participating member states, the EU Military Committee and the EU Council General Secretariat, endorses a plan of action for future military needs and priorities for the European Security and Defense Policy, the European Defense Agency reported.

Officials say the Capability Development Plan, endorsed at a meeting of the EDA's steering board Tuesday, will guide future EU defense investments along with addressing short-term and long-term military requirements.

"The CDP provides the picture all member states need to take into account when planning future capability development agendas and finding the right balance between ambition and resources," Javier Solana, EDA agency head, said in a statement.

"The CDP is not a supranational military equipment or capability plan which aims to replace national defense plans and programs. It should support, not replace, national decision-making."