On November 12-13 Chief of Defence of Lithuania Lieutenant General Arvydas Pocius took part in the meeting of the European Union Military Committee (EUMC) in Brussels (Belgium). The meeting focused on preparations for the upcoming European Council to take place in December which will address defence matters after a long pause.
The EU Chiefs of Defence also identified priority areas which will also be proposed for discussion at the December European Council. The Chiefs of Defence also discussed the new approach to the efficient use of resources in military capability development, development of European rapid response capabilities, cooperation with NATO, and other international organisation and partner countries. The EUMC meeting also addressed other issues of relevance in the EU.
The European Chiefs of Defence also discussed ongoing EU-led military operations: counter-piracy efforts European Naval Force Somalia - Operation Atalanta (EU NAVFOR - ATALANTA) off the coast of Somalia, the EU Training Mission in Mali (EUTM Mali) and the EU-led missions in the Balkan Region.
As usual the event was attended by Chairman of NATO's Military Committee General Knud Bartels, members of the European Commission, and military representatives of the countries where there are ongoing EU-led missions.
The EUMC is the senior military body of the European Union composed of the Chiefs of Defence (CHOD) of the member states. The EUMC provides the Political and Security Committee (PSC) responsible for defining policies within the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) (including the CSDP) with advice and recommendations on all military matters within the EU. General Patrick de Rousiers is the current Chairman of the EUMC.
Spokesperson to the Chief of Defence Capt Skomantas Povilionis, phone no. 00370 682 25 359
