Handover ceremony of EUMS Director-General and MPCC Director
EU HR Borrell at Handover ceremony of EUMS Director-General and MPCC Director
After 3 years in the appointment of DG EUMS/Dir MPCC Vice Admiral Hervé Bléjean of the French Navy handed the appointment over to Lieutenant General Michiel van der Laan of the Royal Dutch Army. The Handover took place during a ceremony attended by amongst others, the HRVP, Chairman of the EUMS, PSC Chair and Ambassadors and Member States' Military Representatives.
The ceremony commenced with all attendees observing a minute silence in memory of all who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of peace.
Following this, the HRVP delivered a fitting address where he acknowledge the tremendous contribution made by Vice Admiral Bléjean during his three years as DG EUMS/Dir MPCC and thanked him for his exceptional contribution to advance the European Union’s Security and Defence agenda. In giving a brief account of the progress made by the EU’s, the HRVP reiterated the importance of a stronger EU Military Staff within the European External Action Service and emphasised the importance of operationalising the Rapid Deployment Capacity with the MPCC as operational headquarters. Mr Borrell concluded his address by welcoming the incoming DG EUMS/Dir MPCC, Lieutenant General Michiel van der Laan.
European Union
The was followed by the HRVP presenting Vice Admiral Herve Bléjean with the CSDP Medal for Extraordinary Meritorious Service. It is the highest level of recognition for distinguished achievement and service, or for deeds of outstanding gallantry. This Medal is awarded to DG EUMS and Director MPCC for providing extraordinary meritorious service with significant positive impact in the interest of the both EUMS and MPCC. The was followed by Major-General Serhii Salkutsan Military Representative of Ukraine to the EU and NATO awarding the "Badge of Honour" in recognition of the significant personal contribution to the development and maintenance of life of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Following this, the address delivered by Vice Admiral Herve Bléjean focused on thanking, amongst others, the HRVP, Chairman of the EUMC, PSC Ambassadors and Member States’ Military Representative. He also express his sincere gratitude to this Cabinet who supported his during his tenure and to his wife and family who supported him throughout his almost 40 years military service.
The culmination of the ceremony was the handing over of the EU Flag from Vice Admiral Bléjean to HRVP, Mr Borrell, who will hand it to Lt Gen van der Laan, signifiny the transfer of authority to Lt Gen van der Laan as the new DG EUMS and Dir MPCC.
In his first official Address as DG EUMS/Dir MPCC, Lt Gen van der Laan also thanked the offices of the attendees including the Chief of Defence of the Netherlands’ Armed Forces, General Onno Eichelsheim and expressed his anticipation in working with the staffs of the EUMS and MPCC in implementing the initiative and ambitions of the Strategic Compass.
