The Liberal and Democrat Group in the European Parliament has today welcomed the decision of EU Foreign Affairs ministers to establish a military headquarters for military CSDP missions. This was a long overdue step, as such a HQ is needed to ensure proper planning and execution of EU missions. Today’s decision limits the responsibility of the new HQ only to non-executive military missions – currently the three ongoing training missions in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Commenting on the EU Foreign Affairs Council’s decision, ALDE Group leader, Guy Verhofstadt, said:
“This is a step into the right direction, for which I’ve been pushing since the Summit of Pralines in 2003, as Prime Minister of Belgium. Our aim should be to progressively turn this into a fully-fledged EU military HQ, not limiting its responsibility only to certain CSDP missions.”
ALDE MEP, Urmas Paet (Estonian Reform Party), rapporteur on European Defence Union, added:
“If we look at the current turbulent international environment, it is clear that Europe needs to do more for its own defence and security. The establishment of a headquarters for EU military operations is important in order to plan and carry out the EU’s own operations as well as to facilitate cooperation with NATO.”
