15ICOAF meeting in Vienna
The 15th International Conference of Ombuds Institutions for the Armed Forces (15ICOAF) was held in Vienna (Austria) on 18-20 June 2023. The meeting was co-hosted by the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF) and the Austrian Parliamentary Commission for the Federal Armed Forces. EUROMIL’s President, Mr Emmanuel Jacob and …
Priorities of the Spanish Presidency of the EU Council
On 1st July, Spain takes over the Presidency of the EU Council. The six-month Spanish Presidency follows Sweden, and will be followed by Belgium from 1 January till 30 June 2024. The Spanish presidency will focus on 4 main priorities: Reindustrialise the EU and ensure its open strategic autonomy Advance …
European Armed Forces: State of Play 2023
On 8 June 2023, EUROMIL organised a two-panel event on the European Parliament, hosted by MEP Juozas OLEKAS entitled “European Armed Forces: State of Play 2023”. The first panel discussion focused on the implementation of the Strategic Compass and the creation of the Rapid Deployment Capacity. During the opening remarks, …
Gender Equality and Diversity in the Armed Forces
The Armed Forces has been considered for a long time as an only male profession, despite that women are joining more and more the military, stereotypes still prevail. Consequently, substantial change in the Armed Forces cannot be achieved. According to an opinion provided by the FEMM Committee of the European …
The EU should focus on building a common military culture
A common culture is defined as a group of people who share similar beliefs, values and behaviours, language or cultural heritage. EU Members states, despite their historical or linguistic differences have succeeded in becoming stronger when working together and be united in diversity. Building a common military culture though is …
The EU should not miss the chance of a timely implementation of the Strategic Compass
The Strategic Compass, adopted in March 2022, represents a first EU “white paper” on defence, providing guidelines for the EU and the Member States to adapt and respond to the new geopolitical environment. The document aims to make the EU and the Member States capable to respond to the challenges …
The interconnected relationship between Climate Change and the Military Sector
According to Newton’s Third Law “for every action, there is an equal but opposite reaction”, a relation that can also be applicable in the way the Armed Forces interact with climate change and vice versa. Firstly, it is important to note that the military sector is huge greenhouse gas emitter …
EuroISME: The Future of Military Ethics
The International Society for Military Ethics in Europe (EuroISME) provides a forum for the analysis, development and sharing of best practice in the area of professional military ethics, across and beyond the European defence community. As the first organization in the area of professional military ethics where scientists, academic professors, …
The Right of Association in the Armed Forces – Citizen in Uniform
EUROMIL, as the European Organisation of military associations and trade unions is first and foremost aiming at the respect for and the application of human rights and fundamental freedoms in and by the European Armed Forces. EUROMIL’s essential consideration is that a soldier should be treated as a “citizen in …
News from Germany
Königsbronn talks: “Now the window of opportunity is there for us to grab it”. Königsbronn talks are a well-known tradition for the German security sector and the education forum of the DBwV is one of the organisers. The discussions were driven by the war in the Ukraine but nevertheless important …