EU Defence Ministers discussed the future of European defence and cohesion of European Union activities in Bucharest

Author: Jan Pejšek

The Bucharest International Conference Center was the venue on Thursday 31 January 2019 to the European Union defence ministerial meeting attended by Minister Lubomír Metnar. Future development of European Defence and cohesion of individual EU activities were among the key topics.

“Our joint ambitions have to match the real possibilities of the Member States. We must not falter due to lack of interest or commitment by the Member States to realise those activities,” Minister Metnar pointed out in his remarks.

The Minister also emphasized that it was essential to pay increasing attention to cyber threats, rapid developments in information technology, and future fifth generation communication networks. In the section dedicated to innovations and technology cooperation he emphasised it was essential to incentivise businesses and research institutions to cooperate on defence and security projects.

Aiming to strengthen the Czech profile in UN missions

Minister Metnar also met with Jean-Pierre Lacroix, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, in Bucharest. They agreed that blue helmets missions were an important instrument for maintaining stability in hotspots around the world.

“Our primary focus is now on NATO and EU operations. There are presently 18 Czech military professionals posted for UN missions in the role of military observers or staff officers. The United Nations is interested in specialised capabilities, such as helicopter airlift or special forces. We have those capabilities, much like Chemical, Biologic, Radiological and Nuclear Defence specialists, and we will consider strengthening our contributions as we develop the Parliamentary mandate for foreign operations from 2021,” Minister Metnar recapped.