The heads of the armed forces of the member states of the EU discussed the text of the Strategic Compass in the light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as well as the practical implementation of provisions aimed to improve the EU’s ability to act and manage crises, during a meeting of the EU Military Committee (EUMC) in Brussels on Wednesday. Cyprus was represented by the Chief of the National Guard, Lieutenant General Demokritos Zervakis.
According to a press release, the heads of the armed forces of the Member States discussed ways to improve the coordination of the support provided to Ukraine through the mechanism developed by the EU Military Staff.
EUMC members also discussed the strengthening of the EU’s rapid response capabilities, as well as EU cooperation with NATO and other strategic partners.
The members of the committee also exchanged views on the analysis issued by the Commission on Wednesday, regarding the gaps in defence investments in the member states. The military chiefs acknowledged that the proposals set out would help to further strengthen cooperation in the field of defence capability development and investment, which would allow member states to create economies of scale, reducing both costs and fragmentation of available resources.
They also reviewed EU training missions and operations in Africa, the Balkans and the Mediterranean.
The meeting was the first to be held since General Robert Brieger took over the Presidency.
During his intervention, the Chief of the National Guard described Rapid Deployment Capabilities as one of the most important elements of the Strategic Compass, adding that it will be an important tool, so that the EU can act swiftly and autonomously regarding emerging threats and evolving crises.
In this context, he noted, battle groups should be made more attractive to Member States, and the staffing of the EU Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC) should move forward.
He also underlined the need to continue strategic cooperation with the United Nations and to improve cooperation with NATO through a structured dialogue and in accordance with the principles of inclusiveness, solidarity, transparency and autonomy in the decision-making process.
Zervakis also stressed that member states should make concerted efforts to increase the effectiveness of measures, while recalling Turkey’s behaviour in relation to the Republic of Cyprus.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Zervakis had meetings with his counterparts from Germany, Spain, and Malta.
Source: Cyprus News Agency