Stabilization is priority
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- Date: 15.04.2014
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The European Union Foreign Affairs Council held a meeting at the level of Defence Ministers on 15 April in Luxembourg. The main topic of the discussions was the situation in Ukraine and its influence on the further direction of the EU Common Security and Defence Policy. “The crisis in Ukraine has clearly revealed the necessity to re-evaluate our approach to our neighbourhood security,” said SVK MOD State Secretary Miloš Koterec.
Together with NATO Secretary General A. F. Rasmussen, participants discussed the possibilities of the international community’s common efforts to reduce tensions and stabilize the security situation in the country, while at the same time creating conditions for a multilateral dialogue. “Cooperation with NATO is even more important at present, when we face a serious security situation at the borders of the European Union, which does not have sufficiently coordinated defence capabilities,” stated SVK Defence Minister Martin Glváč. In this regard, the Council approved the Foreign Affairs Ministers’ decision on the support of Ukraine’s security sector, police and judicial capabilities in the form of a civil mission.
Among other topics discussed at the meeting was the current situation in the Central African Republic with regard to the new EU military operation – EUFOR RCA, which has, since April, been providing support in securing a safe environment in the country. The Council was also briefed on the preparation of the EU Maritime Security Strategy, which should contribute to the protection of EU maritime interests.
Furthermore, the Council evaluated the current state of implementation of the European Council’s conclusions, made at the December 2013 meeting, where this year’s discussions on the political framework for long-term systematic defence cooperation between EU Member States started. “We consider it necessary that the performance of the EU's defence tasks, which were set by the highest representatives of EU Member States in December last year, be evaluated regularly and on every occasion,” said SVK MOD State Secretary Miloš Koterec. “Our aim is to significantly strengthen defence cooperation within the EU as soon as possible,” he added.
Together with NATO Secretary General A. F. Rasmussen, participants discussed the possibilities of the international community’s common efforts to reduce tensions and stabilize the security situation in the country, while at the same time creating conditions for a multilateral dialogue. “Cooperation with NATO is even more important at present, when we face a serious security situation at the borders of the European Union, which does not have sufficiently coordinated defence capabilities,” stated SVK Defence Minister Martin Glváč. In this regard, the Council approved the Foreign Affairs Ministers’ decision on the support of Ukraine’s security sector, police and judicial capabilities in the form of a civil mission.
Among other topics discussed at the meeting was the current situation in the Central African Republic with regard to the new EU military operation – EUFOR RCA, which has, since April, been providing support in securing a safe environment in the country. The Council was also briefed on the preparation of the EU Maritime Security Strategy, which should contribute to the protection of EU maritime interests.
Furthermore, the Council evaluated the current state of implementation of the European Council’s conclusions, made at the December 2013 meeting, where this year’s discussions on the political framework for long-term systematic defence cooperation between EU Member States started. “We consider it necessary that the performance of the EU's defence tasks, which were set by the highest representatives of EU Member States in December last year, be evaluated regularly and on every occasion,” said SVK MOD State Secretary Miloš Koterec. “Our aim is to significantly strengthen defence cooperation within the EU as soon as possible,” he added.
