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General Řehka attended the EU Military Committee meeting

Ministry of Defence & Armed Forces of the Czech Republic

26.10.2022
Author: SOPS MO

The primary topics of the meeting of the EUMC, which was held in Brussels on 24 and 25 October 2022 within the framework of the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU, were the implementation of the Strategic Compass, EU and NATO cooperation, foreign operational deployments and military cooperation with Ukraine. The Czech Republic was represented by the Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces, Major General Karel Řehka.

The meeting was opened by the Chair of the EUMC General Robert Brieger. In the first part, the Chiefs of Defence discussed the implementation of tasks and objectives under the EU Strategic Compass - the first dedicated security and defence strategy designed for the EU to have a concrete plan for making significant steps ahead and strengthening its capabilities as a security provider. Further subjects discussed were the development of the EU Rapid Deployment Capacity, operational scenarios and future EU military command and control structure. The implementation of the Strategic Compass is one of top priorities of the Czech Presidency.

The next session discussed military mobility, which has proven to be a key element, especially in connection to the war in Ukraine. The Czech Republic reiterated its commitment to meeting the military mobility requirements including the tasks of a transit nation and providing Host Nation Support. This includes the effort to build and maintain road and railway infrastructure to provide support to military units transiting through the Czech territory. Military mobility is also one of the priorities of the Czech Presidency, which is why a seminar focusing specifically on this subject will be held in Prague at the beginning of November.

The deployment of forces in foreign operations was another vital topic of the meeting. The Czech Armed Forces have participated in the mission to counter illegal migration EU NAVFOR MED IRINI and the multinational peace operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina EUFOR ALTHEA. "Due to the ever deteriorating security situation in Mali, the Czech Republic will discontinue its participation in the EU Training Mission Mali and withdraw its forces by the end of 2022," said Major General Karel Řehka.

The agenda also included the new EU Battle Group concept which will form the backbone of the EU Rapid Deployment Capacity that is currently in the making.

In the last part of the meeting, the CHODs discussed military cooperation with Ukraine. "The only possible reaction to the Russian aggression is to continue and intensify our assistance to Ukraine. We cannot afford a slow and hesitant approach," General Řehka concluded.

The next EUMC meeting is planned for May 2023.