"Europese gevechtstroepen moeten flexibeler worden ingezet" (en)

It must become easier to put the EU’s battlegroups into action in crises. In addition, better cooperation between civilian and military actors is needed, to contribute to improved maritime surveillance and more effective peace support operations. This is what the Swedish Presidency emphasised at Monday’s meeting of EU defence ministers in Göteborg.

Interview: Javier Solana i, High Representative for the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy

The battlegroups, which were discussed on Monday afternoon at the meeting, have been in place since 2007. The idea is that by always having two such rapid reaction forces available, the EU will be able to intervene to quell conflicts and crises outside the Union. As yet, the forces have never been used, but expectations are growing. This raises the issue of whether the EU should have a more flexible view of when the battlegroups should be put into action.

“We had a very good and open discussion on how the battlegroups should be used, which was welcomed and seen as an important step to further strengthening the EU’s crisis management role. There was also strong support for further improvement of the cooperation between the different battlegroups that the EU has available”, says Sweden’s Minister for Defence Sten Tolgfors, who is chairing the meeting.

Mr Tolgfors also pointed out during the day that the work on the EU’s rapid reaction forces had contributed to the reform of the armed forces in European countries. Nevertheless, as holder of the EU Presidency, Sweden considers that increased flexibility in the use of the battlegroups would increase the credibility of the EU’s crisis management.

“The point is that the tools themselves are there and we must be prepared to use them. When the EU approved a military operation in Chad last year, it was difficult to put together units that were ready to travel; at the same time as we had two fully prepared battlegroups available. Perhaps in that sort of situation, it might be possible to ‘borrow’ a battlegroup,” says Sten Tolgfors.

In addition to the defence ministers, others attending the meeting include Javier Solana, High Representative for the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy, and representatives of the European Commission and NATO. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden is also attending.

Maritime surveillance discussed

Monday opened with a discussion on maritime surveillance in the European Union. Information derived from such surveillance can be used to ensure more secure sea transport, monitor fishing activities, uncover environmental problems and prevent human trafficking. One problem is that information exchange between countries or between civilian and military actors does not always work as it should. The defence ministers therefore agreed that cooperation should improve. To inspire them, ministers were shown a demonstration of maritime surveillance cooperation in the Baltic Sea region (SUCBAS).

 “Today’s discussions show that there is broad consensus on the importance of effective cooperation between countries and civilian and military actors when it comes to maritime surveillance. Experience from the system used by the Baltic Sea countries, which we have studied here today, can be used in the EU’s operations in Somalia, for example”, said Javier Solana in connection with the press conference after the meeting.

“I am pleased that the Swedish Presidency has received strong support to proceed with conclusions to the Council in November. It is also very pleasing that Spain today showed already that they are ready to move the issue forward during their Presidency”, says Minister for Defence Sten Tolgfors.

Similar requirements

Civilian and military cooperation is also necessary to strengthen the EU’s ‘capability development’. Capabilities are different forms of support used to contribute to peace and security in conjunction with military operations or as preventive measures within the context of the EU’s crisis management. They may involve transportation, health care or IT systems. At the meeting on Monday, the defence ministers discussed how to coordination between civilian and military actors can be improved in this area.

“Civilian and military operations often have similar resource requirements. If we coordinate the operations better, we can avoid duplications and create synergy effects. Today’s discussions show that there is strong support among the EU countries for continuing efforts in this area”, says Sten Tolgfors.

The ministerial meeting continues on Tuesday. The discussions will address issues including the EU’s ongoing operation against pirates in the Gulf of Aden.