The Deputy Chief of the General Staff praised the strengthening of cohesion in the EU and NATO
Update: 22/09/2022 10:00
Issued by: 22/09/2022, 09:55
Prague – The strengthening of unity, cohesion and close cooperation between the countries of the European Union and the North Atlantic Alliance after the Russian invasion of Ukraine was highlighted by First Deputy Chief of the General Staff Ivo Střech at the beginning of today’s meeting of the European Union Military Committee (EUMC) in Prague. In the National Museum in Prague, he said that the European Union confirmed its importance and used its strengths to respond flexibly to Ukraine’s needs.
At the beginning of the session, Střecha recalled that his building was also the target of Soviet soldiers’ fire during the invasion of Czechoslovakia by Warsaw Pact troops in August 1968. “In the 54 years since the attack on Czechoslovakia, this aggressor has already attacked his neighbors,” he said. According to him, this year’s invasion of Ukraine is not only an attack on a neighboring country, but also on the international order.
According to Střechy, the Russian invasion fundamentally changed the security environment and the geopolitical situation. However, the EU has confirmed its importance, it has been and will remain an active player from the beginning, he said. “Ukraine must win its fight and the Czech Republic will remain its reliable partner not only in the field of military supplies, financial aid, but also in helping hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees,” he said.
He called the expert of unity and cohesion in the EU and NATO a big positive. “Their role for the security of Europe and its citizens must continue to remain unquestionable,” he said. According to him, international cooperation is gaining importance, including projects within the framework of Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO).
The external meeting of the Union Military Committee is held once every six months, attended by the military representatives of the member countries, including the chairman of the committee. It takes place in the country that currently holds the EU Council Presidency. In addition to the meetings of the committee, a visit to one of the military installations is always planned. Members have the opportunity to learn about the culture and history of the host country.
In the afternoon, the committee will move to Hradec Králové, where its members will see demonstrations of the annual medical international military exercise Medical Man. In addition to Czech soldiers, Slovak, Polish and Hungarian soldiers will take part in it. It tests the cooperation of the medical modules of the participating armies and harmonizes common operating procedures. The goal is to make cooperation more efficient when reacting to the situation that has arisen.
The Chairman of the EU Military Committee, Robert Brieger, today praised the Czech Presidency for having prepared an excellent program for the committee members in the Czech Republic. He appreciated the opportunity to act in Prague, but also the afternoon program in Hradec Králové. He thanked Chief of the General Staff Karl Řehko and the entire Czech team for their work during the Czech presidency.