On May 20-22 Chief of Defence of Lithuania Lieutenant General Arvydas Pocius took part in meetings of European Union and NATO's Military Committees in Brussels (Belgium).
At the session of the European Union Military Committee (EUMC) the Chiefs of Defence addressed European strategic defence priorities, held extensive discussions on the possibilities of capability generation and burden-sharing, perspectives of developing European conflict prevention measures. The European Chiefs of Defence also discussed the ongoing EU operations in the Western Balkans and the region of Africa.
In the follow-on two-day meeting in the format of NATO's Military Committee (MC) the Chiefs of Defence focused on NATO-led military operations Afghanistan and Kosovo, and NATO counter-piracy and counter-terrorism operations. At the meeting with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen the Chiefs of Defence addressed NATO's future priorities and challenges, the crisis in Ukraine and the role of NATO allies in its context.
The NATO Chiefs of Defence reaffirmed the need for NATO to be ready to respond to potential threats both near and far abroad. "The challenges we face are global and we must address them as such," Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, Chief of Defence of Denmark General Knud Bartels stated.
The NATO Chiefs of Defence also agreed on the need to reinforce Education, Training, Exercises and Evaluation programme, and seek solutions to capability shortfalls in NATO and members states.
The NATO Chiefs of Defence reaffirmed their solid commitment to the International Assistance Force Mission in Afghanistan (ISAF) and to establish a new training mission after 2014. "The Taliban have failed to disrupt the first round of presidential elections in April. That was a clear blow to them and other enemies of Afghanistan and it reflects that the Afghan National Security Forces are very capable of dealing with the security situation in Afghanistan. The Afghan people, and we, can be justifiably proud of our collective achievements to date," concluded General Bartels.
Following the MC meeting Chief of Defence of Lithuania Lieutenant General A. Pocius and Chairman of the NATO Military Committee General K.Bartels laid flowers at a Wreath Laying Ceremony Commemorating all Fallen Soldiers in NATO Operations attended by the NATO Chiefs of Defence.
The European Union Military Committee is the highest military body of the EU. It is composed of the Chiefs of Defence of the EU member states. Established in 2001 the EUCM directs all EU military activities and provides advice and recommendations for the Political and Security Committee (PSC) responsible for the formation of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP).
NATO's Military Committee is the highest military authority in NATO that reports to the North Atlantic Council, Defence Planning Committee and the Nuclear Planning Group. The MC adopts strategic military decisions and renders advice to NATO's political decision-making body - the North Atlantic Council. Daily work at the MC is done in sessions attended by Military Representatives delegated by NATO members.
POC: Spokesperson to the Chief of Defence of Lithuania Captain Tomas Pakalniškis, cell phone 00370 682 25359, email: tomas.pakalniš[email protected]
Links to addresses at a joint press point following the NATO CHODs meeting:
Opening statement by Chairman of the NATO Military Committee General Knud Bartels (natochannel.tv): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtCQvtTuZKk
Opening statement by General Jean-Paul Paloméros, Supreme Allied Commander, Transformation (natochannel.tv) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OfF-7-wvvc
Opening statement by General Philip M. Breedlove, Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (natochannel.tv): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OfF-7-wvvc
Questions and Answers session (natochannel.tv):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7VpsGbt4rI
Chief of Defence of Lithuania Lieutenant General Arvydas Pocius and Chairman of the NATO Military Committee General Knud Bartels at the Wreath Laying Ceremony for fallen NATO soldiers. (natochannel.tv):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GC3nTUy7NV8
Photos: courtesy of NATO
