European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said the EU should seek to beef up its military capabilities to confront security threats and global crises.
She told the European Parliament she believed EU military forces would be "part of the solution".
After the Afghan pull-out the EU needed the "political will" to intervene militarily without US-led Nato.
France will host an EU defence summit next year, she added.
"It is time for Europe to step up to the next level," Mrs von der Leyen said in her annual State of the Union address.
The EU has historically relied on the Nato alliance for military action.
The rapid collapse of the Kabul government has raised questions about the EU's ability to drive its own defence policy.
German Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer said earlier this month the EU should become "a strategic player to be reckoned with".
French President Emmanuel Macron has in the past backed the idea of a European army. That was given added impetus by the UK's departure from the EU as it feared duplication with Nato.
Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said this month he supported EU plans to build a common defence policy, but warned against the creation of a new military force.
A joint declaration would be made with Nato by the end of the year, Mrs von der Leyen added.
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