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General Affairs and External Relations Council


(Source: Dutch Presidency of the European Union; issued Nov. 22, 2004)


This is the final communique issued by the European Union’s General Affairs and External Relations Council, chaired by Dutch Minister of Defence Henk Kamp, at the conclusion of its Nov. 22 meeting in Brussels:


1. The European Union has entered a new stage in the process of strengthening military capabilities for crisis management, launching initiatives such as on the Headline Goal 2010, the EU Battlegroups, the civil-military cell and establishing the European Defence Agency (EDA). These initiatives contribute to the implementation of the European Security Strategy, enabling the European Union to deal better with threats and global challenges and realising a more effective Common Foreign and Security Policy.

2. Today the EU-member states have committed themselves to implement the new Headline Goal 2010. Commitments have been made to the EU battlegroups – a key element of the Headline Goal 2010 – thus ensuring Initial Operational Capability in 2005 and 2006 an paving the way for Full Operational Capability in 2007.

3. The Battlegroups are at the forefront of capability improvement, providing the Union with credible, rapidly deployable, coherent force packages capable of stand-alone operations, or for the initial phase of larger operations. A Battlegroup will be associated with force headquarters and operational and strategic enablers, such as strategic lift. Interoperability and military effectiveness will be key criteria.

4. The following Member States have indicated to commit to EU Battlegroups, formed as follows:

-- France
-- Italy
-- Spain
-- United Kingdom
-- France, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and Spain
-- France and Belgium
-- Germany, the Netherlands and Finland
-- Germany, Czech Republic and Austria
-- Italy, Hungary and Slovenia
-- Italy, Spain, Greece and Portugal
-- Poland, Germany, Slovakia, Latvia and Lithuania
-- Sweden, Finland and including Norway as a third State
-- United Kingdom and the Netherlands

Niche capabilities: So far, the following Member States have offered niche capabilities in support of the EU Battlegroups:

-- Cyprus (medical group)
-- Lithuania (a water purification unit)
-- Greece (the Athens Sealift Co-ordination Centre)
-- France (structure of a multinational and deployable Force Headquarter)

5. Member states are welcome to include the non EU European NATO countries, candidates for accesion and other potential partners in their Battlegroups.

6. The EU Battlegroups Concept is complementary and mutually reinforcing with the NATO Response Force.

7. The member states have commited themselves to address the remaining military shortfalls and to improve the capability development process, taking into account the role of the European Defence Agency and building on the ECAP evaluation.

8. The member states also committed themselves to the use of the available assets, mechanisms and initiatives for strategic transport more effectively through the Global Approach on Deployability.

9. Finally they have agreed to intensify the international military cooperation in order to improve European military capabilities.

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Agreement on Establishment of Nordic "Battlegroup"


(Source: Norwegian Ministry of Defence; dated May 10, web-posted May 11, 2005)


JOENSUU, Finland --- Norway, Sweden and Finland have reached agreement to collaborate in the establishment of a so-called “battlegroup” to be placed at the disposal of the EU. The three countries have also agreed to include Estonia in this collaboration.

The agreement sets out the framework and principles for this collaboration and clarifies practical aspects. It also states that any decision to deploy the force must be made on a national basis and that we will retain full control over the use of Norwegian forces.

The background to the agreement lies in the EU’s decision to establish 13 so-called battlegroups, each consisting of about 1500 military personnel. The aim is to establish flexible rapid reaction forces capable of deploying at short notice to take part in operations to maintain or re-establish peace and security. The concept has been developed in conjunction with the UN and the forces are intended to reinforce the UN’s crisis management capability. Participation in an EU operation presupposes that a clear mandate has been established under international law.

Defence Minister Kristin Krohn Devold made it clear last autumn that it was the Government’s intention to participate in such a battlegroup together with other Nordic countries, and negotiations have been held in recent months paving the way for a collaborative agreement on the establishment of a Nordic Battlegroup.

Sweden, Finland and Norway have now reached agreement on such collaboration and this collaborative agreement will be high on the agenda for today’s meeting of the Nordic defence ministers in Finland.

Defence Minister Kristin Krohn Devold will make a statement in the Storting about the agreement on 2 June.

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MOU on Nordic-Estonian Battle Group Signed  
 
(Source: Finnish Ministry of Defence; issued May 23, 2005)
 
 
 The Memorandum of Understanding between Sweden, Finland, Estonia and Norway concerning the EU Battle Group formed by has been signed by their Defence Ministers in Brussels on May 23, 2005. The Memorandum is not a treaty.  
 
The preparations for the battle group are led by Sweden as a framework nation. The basis of the cooperation is stated in the Memorandum of Understanding, where the principles concerning the establishment and operation of the battle group are defined. The aim, structure, working principles, decision- making procedures and security arrangements for the battle group cooperation are defined.  
 
The decision-making concerning a battle group cooperation is based on consensus between the participants. Each country makes a separate national decision on sending troops to an operation.  
 
In preparing the battle group, the Nordic NORDCAPS -cooperation structure has and will be used.  
 
Estonia is expected to take part in NORDCAPS meetings when battle groups are discussed.

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Lithuania to Contribute to the Development of EU Rapid Response Force  
 
(Source: Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence; issued May 23, 2005)
 
 
 On Monday, 23 May a political declaration concerning the intent to establish a joint Lithuanian-Polish-German-Slovak-Latvian battle group, which will operate as part of the European Union’s Rapid Response Force, was signed in Brussels, Belgium.  
 
The declaration was signed by Lithuanian Minister of National Defence Gediminas Kirkilas, Polish Minister of National Defence Jerzy Szmajdzinski, State Secretary of the German Ministry of Defence Dr Peter Eickenboom, Slovak Minister of Defence Juraj Liska and Latvian Minister of Defence Einars Repse.  
 
At the Military Capability Commitment Conference in November 2004, EU Ministers of Defence agreed to develop EU Rapid Response Force that will consist of 13 battle groups.  
 
The initial Battle group capability was achieved in early 2005.  
 
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