Press Release - CHODs meeting

The meeting, chaired by Gen Robert Brieger (CEUMC), was attended by all 27 Member States (MS), as well as representatives from EU institutions and partner organizations and countries, in dedicated sessions: the EEAS, the EU Commission, EDA, the EUMS, NATO and Norway, Bosnia Herzegovina, Georgia, Serbia, and Vietnam.

Following the opening remarks of the HR/VP, Mr. Borrell, the EUMC emphasized the urgency of achieving the Strategic Compass's (SC) ambitious goals without delay, particularly in terms of enhancing EU military capabilities, in light of all current and potential threats and challenges to European security.

The EUMC discussed the status of key military work strands (the Rapid Deployment Capability, the Military Planning Capability, and the EU Command and Control structure) in relation to the EU's capacity to manage crises and promote security in situations where its citizens and interests are at risk. In this regard, they were also looking forward to the EU live exercise scheduled for Spain next October, which will be a crucial milestone towards EU's preparedness for specific crisis scenarios.

In a session dedicated to Ukraine, CHODs welcomed the participation via videoconference of Lieutenant General Mykhailo Zabrodskyi, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and discussed support to Kyiv (current activities and sustainability in the longer term). CHODs emphasized the critical role played by the EU Military Assistance Mission (EUMAM) in providing support to Ukraine.

Also in relation to the ongoing crisis at its border, the EUMC analysed the first lessons observed on Joint Procurement, particularly in light of the depleted stocks of specific military equipment in EU Member States’ arsenals, as a result to the support provided to Ukraine. In this regard, they emphasized the need to increase coherence between national defense planning, aided by extant EU initiatives and support, and by examining future operational requirements jointly.

CHODs subsequently discussed the future of EU CSDP Military Missions and the role of Strategic Communications in their support. In this context, they acknowledged that one of the most significant challenges currently facing EU CSDP military missions is Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference, which may impede efforts to establish trust and confidence with the Host Nations. As a crucial requirement, they emphasized the importance of synchronizing all information and communication activities, at all levels, with all likeminded stakeholders, in order to counter interferences with our missions, maintain credibility of CSDP, and the interest and support of target audiences.

The EUMC will meet in this format again in Madrid (Spain), next fall.

The EUMC consists of the CHODs of the 27 Member States, routinely represented in Brussels by their permanent Military Representatives (MilReps). The EUMC provides the Political and Security Committee (PSC) with advice and recommendations on all pertinent military matters.

The EUMC has a permanent Chairman, chosen by the Chiefs of Defense of the Member States and appointed for three years by the Council. The Chairman is also the principal military advisor to the HR/VP, for all military-related matters.

Pictures from the event: https://newsroom.consilium.europa.eu/photos