Cyprus in EU Chiefs of Defence meeting

European military capabilities and issues concerning their improvement with a view to achieve the goals set out in the framework of the Common Security and Defence Policy, were discussed during a meeting of the EU Chiefs of Defence, held in Brussels on Friday.

Cyprus was represented at the meeting by National Guard Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Constantinos Bisbikas.

During the meeting, EU member states and the European Defence Agency exchanged views on the issue of the long-term development plan of the EU military capabilities, apart from the ongoing work on the Headline Goal 2010.

Participants were also briefed on progress achieved as regards the setup of Tactical Battle Groups. Cyprus has provided a Sanitary Group and a Military Police Group for the Battle Formation, in the framework of the Balkan battle group, in which Greece, Bulgaria and Romania also participate. The battle group in will be at the disposal of the EU during the second half of 2007.

The meeting also dealt with developments as regards the EU mission in Kosovo and other EU operational activities, such as the provision of support to the African Union by the EU for the management of the AMIS operation in Sudan (Darfur region). Cyprus has been participating in this mission since it began in July 2005 with one officer at the Operational Headquarters, which has its Head Office in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum.

Participants were also briefed on the conclusions derived from the EU operation in Congo, EUROFOR RD Congo, which was concluded in December 2006. Cyprus participated in this operation with two officers.