EU defence ministers admit global responsibility

[NewGuy]

http://www.euobserver.com/?sid=9&aid=16141

Thoughts? They are using terrorist-cel like structure.

18.05.2004 - 14:46 CET | By Lisbeth Kirk EUOBSERVER / BRUSSELS - The 25 EU member states have committed themselves to be able to respond to crises throughout the world by 2010.

"The European Union is a global actor, ready to share in the responsibility for global security", are the first words in an ambitious plan "Headline Goal 2010", adopted by EU defence ministers in Brussels on Monday (17 May).

Under the plan, the 25 EU member states are committing themselves to be able by 2010 to respond to crises throughout the world. These include humanitarian and rescue tasks, crisis-management, peace-keeping and joint disarmament operations.

According to the plan, the EU must be fit to "take the decision to launch an operation within 5 days" and the forces should be capable of implementing their mission on the ground "no later than 10 days after the EU decision to launch the operation".

Battle groups concept
There is already agreement on the so-called Battle Groups concept, which is a key instrument in the new EU military planning.

Member states are to start contributing to these multinational "high readiness joint packages" at the beginning of the second semester of 2004.

These rapidly deployable Battle Groups are supposed to be completed in 2007.

European Defence Agency
In mid-February, work to establish a European Defence Agency, another cornerstone of the plan, started.

The agency will be tasked to identify and fulfil shortfalls in the field of military equipment. The plan also commits Member States to "harmonise their respective future requirements" by 2010.

The 2010 Headline Goal plans will now be submitted to EU leaders in June for final approval.

 

[Zhukov]

This would be swell if they could identify the enemy to begin with.

 

[Annie]

Originally posted by NewGuy
http://www.euobserver.com/?sid=9&aid=16141

Thoughts? They are using terrorist-cel like structure.

I'm holding my breath.