By KUNA,
Brussels : Defense ministers from the 27-member European Union begin, in Sweden, a 2-day informal meeting Monday to discuss several defense and security-related issues.
They will discuss EU maritime surveillance, civil-military capability development and how to achieve more flexible use of the EU Battlegroups, said the Swedish EU Presidency in a statement.
“If we know better what is happening on our seas, this contributes to both improvements in the environment and better security,” said Sweden’s Minister for Defense Sten Tolgfors, who will chair the meeting, as his country holds the current EU Presidency.
Today, ministers will discuss the battle groups, one of the EU’s tools for crisis management. The EU has two rapid reaction forces available to intervene in crises.
“So far, they have never been used. However, there have been situations where they could have been used. During our EU Presidency, we will work towards a more unified view of where the EU can make use of the battle groups. This is why we want to have a political discussion,” said Tolgfors.
On Tuesday, discussions will cover EU action in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the Gulf of Aden, and off the coast of Somalia.
The EU’s military presence off the coast of Somalia is intended to combat pirate activity in the area. This operation was recently extended until the end of 2010.
In addition to ministers from the EU Member States, others attending the meeting will include EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana and representatives from NATO.