On May 20-22 Chief of Defence of Lithuania Lieutenant General Arvydas Pocius will attend meetings of European Union and NATO's Military Committees in Brussels (Belgium).
The European Union Military Committee (EUMC) will sit for one day. The meeting will focus on the strategic defence priorities of the EU, particular attention will be devoted to the possibilities of generating capabilities and sharing the burden among EU member states, and perspectives of further development of EU conflict prevention. The European Chiefs of Defence will also discuss ongoing military operations in the Western Balkans and the region of Africa.
In a follow-on session of the Military Committee (MC) of NATO the Chiefs of Defence of NATO allies and partner countries will meet with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen. The meetings will address NATO's future priorities and challenges, the crisis in Ukraine and the role of NATO allies in its context. NATO's Chiefs of Defence will also discuss the Alliance's military operations in Afghanistan and Kosovo, as well as NATO counter-piracy and counter-terrorism operations.
The two-day meeting will convey the suggestions, guidelines, and points discussed to the North Atlantic Council to be used for the NATO Foreign Ministers meeting in June.
NATO condemned Russia's actions in Ukraine and fully suspended all practical civilian and military cooperation between NATO and Russia through the NATO Foreign Ministers meeting on April 1.
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
Photos: courtesy of NATO and the Lithuanian MoD.
