On October 28-29 the European Union Military Committee met in Chiefs of Defence format for the second time this year. Chief of Defence of Lithuania Lieutenant General Jonas Vytautas Žukas and Chiefs of Defence of EU and partner countries discussed the EU global strategy, naval operations, training and advisory missions, Ukraine and cooperation with NATO.
Major focus was given to the EU global strategy and the EU Foreign and Security Policy. Chiefs of Defence agreed that the EU strategy had to reflect long-term EU goals, including military dimension, and has to be put into practice.
An in-depth discussion took place on the naval EU operations underway - EUNAVFOR Med - Operation Sophia aimed at tackling illegal migration in the Mediterranean and EUNAVFOR Operation Atalanta combating piracy in the Indian Ocean - planning and conduct of the operations, including force generation.
EUNAVFOR Operation Atalanta was named as the most successful naval operation of the EU. It is really great to know that Lithuanian soldiers have been making a significant contribution to the operation since 2011," Lt Gen J. V. Žukas said.
A joint session with Chiefs of Defence from partner nations - Georgia, Montenegro, Moldova, Norway and Serbia - addressed further evolution of EU military advisory missions in Mali, the Central African Republic and Somalia.
At the session on hybrid threats Commander-in- Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine General Viktor Muzhenko provided his view on the situation on the ground in Ukraine and hybrid warfare. He also familiarised the Military Committee with the reorganisation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, its challenges and needs.
"My position is that cooperation and sharing experience of hybrid warfare are essential because this is the challenge we may have to face in our region any time," Chief of Defence asserted.
The meeting concluded with a discussion on the prospects of strengthening NATO-EU cooperation on countering hybrid threats, forming and certifying battle groups and using available capabilities.
This was the last meeting in three years chaired by General Patrick de Rousiers (French Armed Forces). Within a week he will be replaced by Chief of Defence of Greece General Michail Kostarakos.
On the margins of the meeting Lithuanian Chief of Defence met with Chiefs of Defence of Ukraine and Finland to discuss bilateral cooperation.
On October 27, prior to the meeting, Lt. Gen. J. V. Žukas paid a visit to the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) based in Brussels. Chief of Defence met with Lithuanian soldiers serving there, familiarised with their duties, and talked to them about the current issues and plans of development of the Lithuanian Armed Forces.
***
The European Union Military Committee is the senior EU military body formed by the EU Chiefs of Defence. Established in 2001, it directs all military activities of the European Union. The EU Military Committee also provides advice to the Political and Security Committee (PSC) in charge of shaping the Common Foreign and Security Policy. The EU Chiefs of Defence gather in Brussels to take part in the EU Military Committee meetings twice a year.
Lithuania's contribution to EU operations
Lithuania takes part in two EU operations: EUTM Mali (European Union Training Mission in Mali) and EU-NAVFOR-ATALANTA (European Union Naval Force Somalia).
Instructors of the Lithuanian Armed Forces deployed to EUTM Mali since 2013 are training military forces of Mali as part of the Nordic-Baltic Training Unit formed with partners of Finland, Sweden, Latvia and Estonia. Currently, three Lithuanian soldiers are serving in Mali: two are assigned to the Training Unit and the third one serves at the EUTM Mali HQ.
Lithuania is also contributing to EU-NAVFOR-ATALANTA, counter-piracy efforts in the Indian Ocean, since 2011. Lithuania posted two officers to the operation, one to the operational headquarters (Northwood, UK), and another to the command ship of the operation. An Autonomous Vessel Protection Detachment (AVPD) of the Lithuanian Armed Forces deployed to the operation since August (16-strong) protects a designated ship in the Indian Ocean, and 2 logistics specialists, the National Support Element (NSP) of the Lithuanian Armed Forces based in Djibouti, are in charge of the logistic provision. Another rotation of the AVPD and the NSP is expected to take their place in December and serve until April.
Spokesperson for the Chief of Defence of Lithuania Captain Mindaugas Neimontas
Office phone no. 00370 5 278 5091, cell phone no. 00370 682 25359, email: mindaugas.neimontas@mil.lt
Photos: courtesy of the organisers
