PESCO: Quo Vadis?
Once again PESCO? Yes, it is not the first article EUROMIL dedicates to PESCO and it will certainly not be the last one. However, let me point out from the start that this time we will not focus on the missing link between PESCO and the human/social factor, even if …
Picking the Right Momentum in EU Decision-Making!
One of the main points of criticism on the European Union and its decision-making process, is that it is slow and that it takes a lot of time before the results are visible. Yes, but … even more than in national politics, EU decision-making depends on reaching a consensus – …
Social Dimension of European Defence: Interview with the Director of the Europe in the World Programme at the Egmont Institute Prof. Dr. Sven Biscop
In the past years, a huge emphasis has been put on the security and defence in Europe. New asymmetric threats such as terrorism, cyber-attacks, organised crime, human trafficking, and disinformation campaigns made security one of the biggest preoccupations of EU citizens. Nevertheless, when thinking of the EU defence sector, its …
NATO Summit in Brussels
On 11 and 12 July 2018, the Heads of State and Government of the 29 NATO member states came together in the new Headquarters of the Alliance in Brussels. In times where the security landscape around the Alliance is undergoing profound changes, the summit was expected to take landmark decisions …
EU Strives for Enhancing Its Capacity to Act as a Security Provider
On 25 June 2018 delegations of foreign affairs ministers and defence ministers participating in the EU Council meeting discussed the implementation of the EU Global Strategy in the area of security and defence. The conclusions highlighting the substantial progress in strengthening cooperation and provide and providing further guidance were adopted …
Priorities of the Austrian EU Council Presidency
On 1 July 2018, Austria takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the third time after 1998 and 2006. The Presidency rotates every 6 months and will be held by Austria in the second half of 2018. The motto Austria has chosen for the EU …
PESCO: Relaunching the SAFE Concept
On 20 March 2018, the Kangaroo Group organised, in cooperation with the European Organisation of Military Associations (EUROMIL), a lunchtime debate entitled “PESCO: Relaunching the SAFE Concept” at the European Parliament in Brussels. The event addressed the launch of the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) and the opportunity to revive the …
DBwV Participation at BSC
Abstract – The DBwV participated in the BSC Berlin Security Conference 2018. The topic was the security and defense of Europe in the current situation. There were wide discussions, what the Bundeswehr and the other European armies can and shall do, but the approximately 1.5 million soldiers, their concerns and …
The Eagle Took Off
Ten years ago, on 13 December 2007, the Heads of State or Government of the Member States of the European Union signed the Lisbon Treaty. They agreed amongst others “on the progressive framing of a common defence policy that might lead to common defence”. It needed however several years before …
DBwV-Congress: All eyes on Europe
From a European point of view the timing of the Congress of the German Armed Forces Association (DBwV) could not have been better: Exactly on the same day as the delegates arrived in Berlin, Germany and 22 other EU member states decided on closer military cooperation. During an official ceremony …