Priorities of the French Presidency of the EU Council
On 1 January 2022, France takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The Presidency rotates every 6 months and will be held by France in the first half of 2022. The Presidency’s priorities circulate around three main themes: Europe’s sovereignty Climate, Social and Digital transition Europe …
Fighting COVID-19 Without Borders!
If we could go back in time less than a year, it would be difficult to convince ourselves that we would generally work from home and conduct our meetings and contacts mainly online, that we would no longer greet each other with a warm hand or cuddle, that we would …
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 – …
EUROMIL Releases Recommendations in View of the European Elections
During its 118th Presidium Meeting, EUROMIL released recommendations for policy makers, politicians and interested civilians in the view of the upcoming European elections in May 2019. The recommendations suggest concrete steps which could be taken to enhance the situation of military personnel all over Europe. Policies and regulations are needed to …
2nd “Silent Leges Inter Arma?” Conference
From 18 to 21 September 2017, the Belgian Group of the International Society for Military Law and the Law of War (ISMLLW) organised the second ‘Silent leges inter arma?’ conference. This international conference brought together practitioners and academics active in the field of law, security and defence from a wide …
Once Again a New Initiative!
On 25 June 2018 defence ministers from nine European countries signed a letter of intent on creating the European Intervention Initiative (EII). Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and the UK – at this moment all EU member states – declared their willingness to set up a …
Public Hearing: Soldiers’ rights in EU Member States
On 15 May 2018, EUROMIL President Jacob addressed the members of the Security and Defence (SEDE) Committee of the European Parliament during a public hearing on “Soldiers’ rights in EU Member States”. MEP Clare Moody (S&D, UK), Vice-Chair of the SEDE Committee opened the hearing by pointing out the importance …
117th EUROMIL Presidium Meeting in Brussels
On 20 and 21 April 2017, about 50 delegates from 16 member and observer associations of EUROMIL came to Brussels, Belgium for the 117th 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 …
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 …
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 …