On November 7-8 Chief of Defence of Lithuania Lieutenant General Jonas Vytautas Žukas took part in the second European Union Military Committee session this year in Brussels (Belgium). The meeting addressed European security and defence.
On November 7 the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini updated the EU CHODs on the EU global foreign and security policy strategy and its implementation plan. Later on the CHODs discussed EU-NATO military cooperation regarding capability development and preparation of the joint EU-NATO declaration with Chairman of the NATO Military Committee General Peter Pavel and General Denis Mercier, NATO Supreme Allied Commander Transformation. The first day of the meeting was wrapped with a discussion on the status and the new mandate of Operation Althea of the European Force (EUFOR) in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
On November 8 the participants reviewed the ongoing maritime EU operations: the fight against illegal immigration in the Mediterranean, operation SOPHIA, and anti-piracy efforts in the Indian Ocean, operation ATALANTA. The operations were called a successful effort to ensure maritime security. For example, over 28 thousand human lives were saves because of operation Sophia since 2015, 337 ships used by illegal armed groups were neutralised, and 99 persons suspected of human trafficking and weapon smuggling were handed over to Italian authorities.
The meeting also addressed the EU training mission in the Central African Republic, Mali and Somalia, ad commanders of the operations presented the progress, status and prospects of the operations. Later on the EU CHODs discussed the future of EU training missions with representatives from partner nations - Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Montenegro, Myanmar, and Serbia. Also, a session was dedicated to the security situation of one of the partners, Myanmar, and the steps it's government and armed forces took to protect democracy.
The CHODs concluded the conference by reviewing the work to be done before the next EUMC meeting in May 2017.
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Six Lithuanian soldiers are currently deployed to three EU-led operations: the Training Mission in Mali, maritime operations Atalanta and Sophia. Lithuania's contribution of military personnel to EU-led multinational operations supports crises management and strengthens the EU Common Security and Defence Policy.
The European Union Military Committee is the highest EU military institution composed of the 28 Chiefs of Defence of the EU member states. Established in 2001, the Military Committee is in charge of all the EU military activity, primarily planning and execution of the CSDP military missions and operations and development of military capability. The institution advises the EU Political and Security Committee which shapes the Common Foreign and Security Policy. EU Chiefs of Defence attend the EU Military Committee meetings twice a year.
Phone no: 00370 5 278 5091, cell: 00370 682 25359, e-mail: mindaugas.neimontas@mil.lt
Photo source: www.tvnewsroom.consilium.europa.eu
