Paul Nicholas Gogarty
Question:32 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on the EU Chiefs of Defence meeting on 7 May; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13155/03]
Written Answers. - Ministerial Meetings.
On 7 May a meeting of the EU Military Committee at the level of Chiefs of Defence was held in Brussels. Such meetings are normally held on one occasion during each EU Presidency, usually in advance of a meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council in the format of Defence Ministers. It provides the EUMC at Chiefs of Defence staff level with an opportunity to discuss military aspects of the ESDP and to endorse reports being prepared by the EUMC for submission to the Political and Security Committee in advance of ministerial meetings. The Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Colm Mangan, attended the meeting and he reported to me on the proceedings. This was the first meeting at this level where the ten EU accession states participated as observers.
The meeting included briefings on ongoing military aspects of ESDP. These included: the first EU led peace support operation, Operation Concordia, in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia; the development of arrangements between the EU and NATO; initiatives of the Greek Presidency in relation to common training and space; and the development of civil protection initiatives in the event of terrorist attacks.
The meeting reviewed progress on the military aspects of ESDP under the Greek Presidency and endorsed a report on military capabilities. Next Monday I will attend the capabilities conference where I expect this document will be discussed.