European Union Military Committee (EUMC), EU Chiefs of Defence, 6-7/11/2017, 6-7 November 2017

Main results

The European Union Military Committee met at the level of EU Chiefs of Defence (CHODs). The meeting was chaired by General Mikhail Kostarakos, the permanent chairman of the committee.

The meeting was also the opportunity to  take stock of implementation of the EU Global strategy in the area of security and defence, in particular the coordinated annual review on defence (CARD) trial run and the permanent structured cooperation (PESCO).

EU Chiefs of Defence also had a discussion on the EU-NATO cooperation together General Petr Pavel, the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee and with General Curtis M. Scaparrotti, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe. They received an update on EU-NATO cooperation, including on cooperation in hybrid and cyber domains.

EU Chiefs of Defence discussed  the EU military operations, including Operation Althea, EUNAVFOR Operation Atalanta and EUNAVFOR Operation Sophia.

EU Chiefs of Defence had a discussion on CSDP military training missions together with the Director of the military planning and conduct capability (MPCC).

In addition, CHODS discussed the fight against terrorism and the prevention of radicalisation, and in particular the threat of ISIS/Daesh with partner countries. CHODs from Serbia, Montenegro, Tunisia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, and Moldova, as well as representatives from South Korea, Albania and Jordan were present.

Finally, the Chiefs of Defence elected General Claudio Graziano, the Italian Chief of Defence,  as the next permanent Chair of the EU Military Committee. He will take office in November 2018.

• CV of General Claudio Graziano

• EU Cooperation on Security and defence (background information)

• European Union Military Committee (EUMC) website