Europe to form joint military units

[Dreamer128]

EU Defence Ministers finalise 'Battle Groups'
22.11.2004 - 14:12 CET | By Andrew Beatty

EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS – EU Defence Ministers have agreed to create 13 ‘battle groups’ by 2007 to be deployed to the World’s hotspots.

Meeting in Brussels on Monday (21 November), Ministers agreed to a series of groups which can be used in peacekeeping operations up to 6,000 kilometres away.

The 1,000-1,500 strong forces are expected to be able to be rapidly deployable - 10 days after a unanimous decision from EU member states has been taken and a battle plan created.

In a statement, the Dutch Presidency said that the creation of the groups would help the EU to "deal better with threats and global challenges".

"The European Union has entered a new stage in the process of strengthening military capabilities," the EU’s 25 defence ministers said in a statement.

Diplomats say that the force is expected to be used under UN mandated operations, preparing the ground for large UN operations that take longer to deploy.

They will also be able to take on smaller missions independently.

The first groups, it is hoped, will be ready in 2005-2006.

France, Italy, Spain and the UK will form their own groups and another nine groups are to be formed:

- France, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and Spain;
- France and Belgium;
- Germany the Netherlands and Finland;
- Germany, Czech Republic and Austria;
- Italy, Hungary and Slovenia;
- Italy, Spain, Greece and Portugal;
- Poland, Germany, Slovakia, Latvia and Lithuania;
- Sweden, Finland and Norway (not an EU member);
- The UK and the Netherlands.

Ireland has said that it will look into the possibility of participating, but did not pledge troops on Monday, while Estonia has said it will take part and will continue consultations.

Austria and the Czech Republic, who on Friday looked like they would not participate, both pledged troops.

Each group will be associated with a force headquarters and will be headed by a ‘lead nation’, which will take up operational command.

[shamrock_uk]

[img]graemlins/jawdrop.gif[/img] Well apparently my earlier cynicism was misplaced John D! They can get things done...

Still, I await with eagerness the military event that requires the deployment of these units and then we'll see how happy the countries are about having their troops controlled by other nations...

[johnny]

But what about those 25 defense ministers ? I bet they all wanna have a say in this, there's bound to be trouble there.

[wellard]

Notes that the UK only dip their toe into the water with there long time political and philosophical / religious ally the Netherlands.

This has been on the cards since the Balkans disaster of the mid 90's when it took decisive intervention by Clinton and the USA to help solve what should have been a European problem.

[ 11-22-2004, 09:18 AM: Message edited by: wellard ]

[Timber Loftis]

It's about time.

[Stratos]

Just one question, which one of these groups are to be deployed first?

Edit: Another question; where's Denmark?

[ 11-22-2004, 05:00 PM: Message edited by: Stratos ]

[Sir Degrader]

Near Sweden and Norway.

[Timber Loftis]

Originally posted by Sir Degrader: Near Sweden and Norway.

[img]graemlins/1drinkspit.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/1drinkspit.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/1drinkspit.gif[/img]

I don't think that's quite what he meant.

[johnny]

Originally posted by Stratos: Just one question, which one of these groups are to be deployed first? Edit: Another question; where's Denmark?

I heard the Scandinavian troops get to be cannonfodder first. We call it "operation get behind the snowmen".

[Lord of Alcohol]

I'd say lets offer Johnny up to be drafted, but hell I like draft beer too. Party on Johnny [img]tongue.gif[/img]