EU defence force should not stretch NATO's resources, Stoltenberg says

FILE PHOTO: NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg gives a statement as he arrives for a defence ministers meeting at the EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium May 6, 2021. John Thys/Pool via REUTERS

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Friday he supported European Union plans to build a common defence policy but he warned against any rapid reaction force https://www.reuters.com/world/afghanistan-pullout-spurs-eu-revive-rapid-reaction-force-2021-09-01 that might duplicate allied operations.

EU defence ministers are considering creating a "first entry force" of 5,000 troops, saying the bloc needed to react to conflicts beyond its borders, spurred by the chaotic Western withdrawal from Afghanistan.