The meeting of the European Union Military Committee (EUMC) at the level of the Chiefs of Armed Forces (CF) of the Member States (MS), which was attended by the Chief of the National Guard, Lieutenant General Demokritos Zervakis, concluded yesterday in Brussels.
During the meeting, the institutional text of the Strategic Compass was discussed in the light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as well as the individual chapters of the text related to the practical implementation of the provisions it contains in order to improve the EU's ability to act and manage crises. Ways of improving the coordination of the support provided to Ukraine through the mechanism developed by the EU Military Staff were also discussed. Condemning Russian aggression, the Military Committee noted that it undermines EU unity and has negative implications for the EU and global security. In addition, issues concerning the strengthening of the EU's Rapid Response Capabilities, EU cooperation with NATO and other strategic partners were discussed. In parallel, views were also recorded on the document analysing EU defence investment shortfalls and listing suggestions for filling them, issued by the European Commission on the same day (JOIN (2022) 24 Final, Brussels 18.5.22). In particular, it was recognised that the proposals recorded would contribute to further strengthening cooperation in the field of defence capabilities and investment development, which would allow Member States to create economies of scale, reducing both the cost and fragmentation of capabilities and investments. Finally, a review of EU training missions and operations in Africa, the Balkans and the Mediterranean, respectively, took place.
The new Chairman of the Military Committee, General Robert Brieger, and the Director General of the EU Military Staff, Vice Admiral Hervé Bléjean, representatives of the External Action Service and the European Commission, were installed at the opening of the session. In their interventions, the Chiefs of Defence of the MS expressed their views on the issues on the agenda.
In his statement on the war in Ukraine, the Chief of Defence reiterated his support to the Ukrainian people, noting that the EU must continue to support the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. To this end, he said, a concerted effort is needed from the MS in order to increase the effectiveness of measures and to send a strong message of solidarity. Concluding his intervention, he recalled the behaviour of Turkey, which continues, in violation of international law, to violate the sovereign rights and provocative actions against the Republic of Cyprus.
In discussing the framework for the implementation of the Strategic Compass and the translation of the political guidelines it contains into concrete military actions and capabilities, the Force Commander described the Rapid Deployment Capabilities as one of the most important products of this institutional text, as it will be the Union's most important tool for an immediate and autonomous response to emerging threats and evolving crises. In this context, he noted, the Battle Groups should be made more attractive for the MS on the one hand, and on the other hand, the manning of the EU Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC) should be complemented. He also highlighted the importance of completing the related procedures and securing command and control tools at the Strategic Level. Furthermore, he welcomed the need to continue the strategic cooperation with the United Nations and to improve it with NATO through a structured dialogue and in accordance with the principles of inclusiveness, solidarity, transparency and autonomy in the decision-making process.
On the sidelines of the Summit, the Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff held a meeting with his counterparts. In particular, in his meeting with the Chief of Defence Staff of Germany, General Eberhard Zorn, they exchanged views on the actions of the first Bilateral Defence Cooperation Programme signed on 3 May 2022 in Nicosia, while the two Chiefs pledged to strengthen the existing cooperation developed with the UNIFIL Naval Detachment.
In the corresponding meeting with Spain's Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Teodoro Lopez Calderon, they exchanged views on the expansion of cooperation between the two countries both within the EU and at bilateral level.
The Chief of Defence Staff also had a meeting with the Chief of Defence Staff of Malta, Brigadier General Jeffrey Curmi, with whom they exchanged views on EU operations in the Mediterranean and migratory flows. The Chief also explored possible areas of military cooperation between the two countries.
Finally, during his presence in Brussels, the Chief met with all National Guard personnel serving in EU institutions, who briefed him on the most important issues in their field of work and briefly discussed the activities of the organisations to which they are temporarily seconded.
(IK)
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