Shrinking Space for Civil Society and Human Rights Defenders: A Problem Within the EU
On 18 January 2018, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) released a report on “Challenges facing civil society organisations working on human rights in the EU”. The shrinking space for civil society and human rights defenders in Europe endangers democracy in the European Union. As emphasised at regional …
Social Dialogue in the Armed Forces of Montenegro
EUROMIL was informed on several occasions in the past year by its Montenegrin member association SOVCG about different problems regarding social dialogue and a worsened relationship between the Minister of Defence and SOVCG. On 17 January 2018, EUROMIL’s President Emmanuel Jacob met with the Secretary of State of the Ministry of Defence, …
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 …
Priorities of the Bulgarian EU Council Presidency
Bulgaria will take over the Presidency of the EU Council from Estonia on 1 January 2018 until the end of June 2018. The Presidency rotates every 6 months, and will be held by Austria in the second half of 2018. Bulgaria, which has joined the EU in 2007, will hold …
EUROMIL Visit at the Armed Forces Disabled Veterans Association
On 5 December 2017, EUROMIL’s President and Project Officer visited the Armed Forces Disabled Veterans Association (ADFA) in Lisbon, Portugal. The visit was arranged by EUROMIL’s Portuguese Board Member A. Lima Coelho, in the context of EUROMIL’s activity plan which foresees greater engagement around veterans (mental) health. ADFA is an …
PESCO: Step by Step Towards a Final Council Decision!
Step by step Without any doubt, the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) will be a significant milestone: Not only because it will bind those member states that join PESCO to a certain number of commitments, but especially because it demonstrates the political will of a majority of member states to get …
Democratic Control of Armed Forces – From National to European Oversight
The Brussels Office of the Friedrich-Naumann-Foundation for Freedom together with the European Organisation of Military Associations (EUROMIL) organized the second event of the tripartite series „Overcoming Obstacles on the Way to European Army“ on 31 October 2017. This public debate pursued the question, if and how democratic control mechanisms over …
EUROMIL Statement on the Situation in Montenegro
In August 2017, EUROMIL was informed by its Montenegrin member SOVCG about the termination of contract for several soldiers in Montenegro, and the complete lack of a social dialogue on the issue. EUROMIL reacted with a public statement. In October 2017, the President of EUROMIL was furthermore informed that the …
Civil Rights of Military Servants – Challenges and Developments
One of the ombuds institutions competent for military personnel with which EUROMIL is in contact with through the yearly meetings of the International Conference of Ombuds Institutions for the Armed Forces (ICOAF), is the office of the Public Defender (Ombudsman) of Georgia. At the occasion of the spring 2017 NATO …
116th EUROMIL Presidium Meeting in Riga
On 20 October 2017, about 60 delegates from 20 member and observer associations of EUROMIL came to Riga, Latvia for the 116th Presidium Meeting. EUROMIL holds Presidium Meetings twice every year. The Presidium approves the policy of the Board and provides impetus for the prospective further development of EUROMIL policy. …