The EU ministers of defence discussed civil-military coordination
During the second day of the informal meeting of the EU ministers of defence in Levi, Kittilä, the ministers discussed the civil-military coordination in crisis management (CMCO), EU’s role in Lebanon and the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Minister Kääriäinen pointed out that Finland as the EU Presidency has in civil-military coordination concentrated most of all on situational awareness. As an example, minister Kääriäinen mentioned Bosnia-Herzegovina, where several EU operations are under way.
The ministers were unanimous that the stabilization of the situation in Lebanon requires the presence of the international community. The role of the EU is to support Lebanon in building its national armed forces and, more generally, in strengthening the civil society.
The ministers also discussed the future of the EU operation in Congo on the basis of the presentation of the operation commander general Karlheinz Viereck from Germany. Until now the operation has proceeded well. Whether the operation will be prolonged once the present mandate is over, is impossible to decide as long as the election process has not been
finalized.
In conjunction of the defence ministers meeting, European Defence Agency’s (EDA) Steering Board meeting at Ministerial Level was organized. The ministers emphasized that the Initial Long-Term Vision (LTV) creates a good basis for the development of European defence capabilities and capacity needs. Agency’s defence research and technology joint investment
programme as well as priorities and financial framework for 2007-2009 were also discussed.
For further information, please contact Colonel Esa Pulkkinen (tel. 09 160 88131 or 040 543 0803), Senior Adviser, Legal Affairs Jouko Tuloisela (tel. 040 574 0929) and Director for Public Policy Jyrki Iivonen (tel. 09 160 88200 or 050 568 0553).