Chairman of the European Union Military Committee

Last updated
Chairman of the European Union Military Committee
Coat of arms of Europe.svg
CEUMC coat of arms
Coat of arms of the European Union Military Committee.svg
EUMC coat of arms
Robert Brieger in 2019.jpg
Incumbent
General Robert Brieger
since 16 May 2022
European Union Military Committee
Reports to High Representative
Seat Kortenberg building, Brussels, Belgium
Term length 3 years
Inaugural holderGeneral Gustav Hägglund
FormationDecember 2000
Website europa.eu

The chairman of the European Union Military Committee (CEUMC) is the four-star rank officer representing and presiding over the European Union's (EU) Military Committee (EUMC), composed of the chiefs of defence (CHODs) of the EU member states. The chairman is selected by the chiefs of defence of the member states and appointed by the members of the Council of the European Union for a three-year term.

Contents

Task

The chairman has the following tasks: [1]

The relationship between the High Representative, the Military Staff and Military Committee as of November 2017: [2] Colour key:
  High Representative (a Vice-President of the Commission)
  Coat of arms of the European Union Military Committee.svg Military Committee (EUMC; a Council body)
  Coat of arms of the European Union Military Staff.svg Military Staff (EUMS; a Directorate-General of the External Action Service)

High Representative
Coat of arms of Europe.svg
Chairman EUMC
Golden star.svg Golden star.svg Golden star.svg Golden star.svg
Working Group
Golden star.svg
Emblem of the European Union Military Committee Working Group - Headline Goal Task Force.svg
Working Group/Headline Goal Task Force
Director General EUMS/
Director MPCC
Golden star.svg Golden star.svg Golden star.svg
Legal advisor Deputy Director General
Golden star.svg Golden star.svg
Horizontal Coordination
Assistant Chief of Staff for SynchronisationEU cell at SHAPE EU Liaison at the UN in NY Assistant Chief of Staff for External Relations NATO Permanent Liaison Team
Concepts & Capabilities
Directorate
Golden star.svg
Intelligence
Directorate
Golden star.svg
Operations
Directorate
Golden star.svg
Logistics
Directorate
Golden star.svg
Communications & Information Systems
Directorate
Golden star.svg
Military Planning and
Conduct Capability
(MPCC)
Chief of Staff
Golden star.svg
Working Group
Current Operations

Role in command and control of missions

The EU command and control (C2) structure is directed by political bodies composed of member states' representatives, and generally requires unanimous decisions. As of April 2019: [3]

Liaison:       Advice and recommendations       Support and monitoring       Preparatory work     
Political strategic level: [5]
ISS EUCO Pres. (EUCO) Chain of command
Coordination/support
SatCen CIVCOM HR/VP (FAC)
INTCEN HR/VP (PMG) HR/VP (PSC) [6] Coat of arms of Europe.svg Coat of arms of the European Union Military Committee.svg
Golden star.svg Golden star.svg Golden star.svg Golden star.svg
CEUMC (EUMC)
CMPD Coat of arms of the European Union Military Staff.svg
Golden star.svg Golden star.svg Golden star.svg
DGEUMS [3] (EUMS)
Military/civilian strategic level:
Coat of arms of the European Union Military Staff.svg
Golden star.svg Golden star.svg Golden star.svg
Dir MPCC [3] ( MPCC )
JSCC Civ OpCdr CPCC [1]
Operational level:
MFCdr [4] (MFHQ)HoM [1]
Tactical level:
CC [2] LandCC [2] AirCC [2] MarOther CCs [2]
ForcesForcesForcesForces


1 In the event of a CSDP Civilian Mission also being in the field, the relations with the Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability (CPCC) and its Civilian Operation Commander (Civ OpCdr), as well as the subordinate Head of Mission (HoM), are coordinated as shown.
2 Other Component Commanders (CCs) and service branches which may be established.
3 The MPCC is part of the EUMS and Dir MPCC is double-hatted as DGEUMS. Unless the MPCC is used as Operation Headquarters (OHQ), either a national OHQ offered by member states or the NATO Command Structure (NCS) would serve this purpose. In the latter instance, Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe (DSACEUR), rather than Dir MPCC, would serve as Operation Commander (OpCdr).
4 Unless the MPCC is used as Operation Headquarters (OHQ), the MFCdr would be known as a Force Commander (FCdr), and direct a Force Headquarters (FHQ) rather than a MFHQ. Whereas the MFHQ would act both on the operational and tactical level, the FHQ would act purely on the operational level.
5 The political strategic level is not part of the C2 structure per se, but represents the political bodies, with associated support facilities, that determine the missions' general direction. The Council determines the role of the High Representative (HR/VP), who serves as Vice-President of the European Commission, attends European Council meetings, chairs the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) and may chair the Political and Security Committee (PSC) in times of crisis. The HR/VP proposes and implements CSDP decisions.
6 Same composition as Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER) II, which also prepares for the CSDP-related work of the FAC.

List of holders

No.PortraitChairmanTook officeLeft officeTime in officeDefence branchStateRef.
1
Gustav Hagglund.jpg
Hägglund, Gustav General
Gustav Hägglund
(born 1938)
3 June 20019 April 20042 years, 311 daysMilitary flag of Finland.svg  Finnish Army Flag of Finland.svg  Finland [4]
2
Rolando Mosca Moschini (cropped).jpg
Moschini, Rolando Mosca General
Rolando Mosca Moschini
(born 1939)
9 April 20046 November 20062 years, 211 daysFlag of Italy.svg  Italian Army Flag of Italy.svg  Italy
3
Henri Bentegeat1 Domenjod-22nov2016.jpg
Bentégeat, Henri General
Henri Bentégeat
(born 1946)
6 November 20066 November 20093 years, 0 daysFlag of France.svg  French Army Flag of France.svg  France
4
Hakan Syren Feb 2010.jpg
Syrén, Håkan General
Håkan Syrén
(born 1952)
6 November 20096 November 20123 years, 0 days Flag of Sweden.svg Swedish Amphibious Corps Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden
5
Patrick de Rousiers at the 2014 EDA European Defence Matters conference (cropped).jpg
de Rousiers, Patrick General
Patrick de Rousiers
(born 1955)
6 November 20126 November 20153 years, 0 daysFlag of France.svg  French Air and Space Force Flag of France.svg  France [5]
6
Michail Kostarakos (cropped).jpg
Kostarakos, Michail General
Michail Kostarakos
(1956–2023)
6 November 20156 November 20183 years, 0 daysHellenic Army War Flag.svg  Hellenic Army Flag of Greece.svg  Greece [6]
7
Claudio Graziano.JPG
Graziano, Claudio General
Claudio Graziano
(born 1953)
6 November 20181 June 20223 years, 207 daysFlag of Italy.svg  Italian Army Flag of Italy.svg  Italy [7]
8
Robert Brieger in 2019.jpg
Brieger, Robert General
Robert Brieger
(born 1956)
16 May 2022Incumbent1 year, 270 daysFlag of Austria (state).svg  Austrian Land Forces Flag of Austria.svg  Austria [8] [9]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Political and Security Committee</span> Permanent body within the European Union

The Political and Security Committee is a permanent body within the European Union dealing with Common Foreign and Security Policy issues, including Common Security and Defence Policy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">European Union Institute for Security Studies</span> Agency of the European Union

The European Union Institute for Security Studies (EUISS) is a Paris-based agency of the European Union (EU) within the realm of Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). The EUISS is an autonomous agency with full intellectual freedom and researches security issues of relevance for the EU and provides a forum for debate. In its capacity as an EU agency, it also offers analyses and forecasting to the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">European Union Satellite Centre</span> Provides data consolidated from EU space-based assets

The European Union Satellite Centre is the agency of the European Union (EU) that supports the EU's decision-making in the field of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), including crisis management missions and operations. It provides products and services resulting from the exploitation of relevant space assets and collateral data, including satellite and aerial imagery, and related services. SatCen is headquartered in the Torrejón Air Base, located in the Spanish municipality of the same name, in the vicinity of Madrid.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">European Union Military Staff</span> Directorate-general of the EUs External Action Service

The Military Staff of the European Union (EUMS) is the directorate-general of the European Union's (EU) External Action Service (EEAS) that contributes to the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) by providing strategic advice to the High Representative (HR/VP) and commanding operations through its Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC) operational headquarters. From the end of 2020, the MPCC will be capable of running executive operations of up to 2,500 troops, i.e. the size of one EU battle group, as well as 3 non-executive missions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foreign Affairs Council</span> Configuration of the Council of the European Union

The Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) is a configuration of the Council of the European Union that convenes once a month. Meetings bring together the foreign ministers of the member states. Ministers responsible for European affairs, defence, development or trade also participate depending on the items on agenda. The configuration is unique in that is chaired by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR/VP) rather than the member state holding the presidency of the Council of the European Union. There is one exception, when the FAC meets in the configuration of ministers responsible for trade (FAC/Trade), with the presiding member state's minister chairing the meeting.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">European Union Military Committee</span> EU body composed of member states Chiefs of Defence

The Military Committee of the European Union (EUMC) is the body of the European Union's (EU) Common Security and Defence Policy that is composed of member states' Chiefs of Defence (CHOD). These national CHODs are regularly represented in the EUMC in Brussels by their permanent Military Representatives (MilRep), who often are two- or three-star flag officers.

The Committee for Civilian Aspects of Crisis Management, or CIVCOM, is an advisory body within the European Union dealing with civilian aspects of crisis management. The activities of the CIVCOM form part of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) of the EU, and the civilian side of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). The CIVCOM is composed of representatives of the EU member states.

The EU Intelligence and Situation Centre is a "civilian intelligence function" of the European Union (EU). Structurally, it is a directorate of the External Action Service (EEAS) and reports directly to the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Article 4 of the Treaty on European Union, among other things, expressly states that "national security remains the sole responsibility of each Member State". EU INTCEN's analytical products are based on intelligence from the EU Member States' intelligence and security services.

The Politico-Military Group (PMG) is a body of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) of the European Union (EU) that carries out preparatory work for the Political and Security Committee (PSC). It covers the political aspects of EU military and civil-military issues, including concepts, capabilities and operations and missions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Military Planning and Conduct Capability</span> EU permanent strategic-level operational headquarters for military operations

The Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC) is a permanent operational headquarters (OHQ) at the military strategic level for military operations of up to 2,500 troops deployed as part of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) of the European Union (EU) by the end of 2020. Since its inception in 2017, the MPCC has commanded three non-executive training missions in Somalia, Mali and the Central African Republic, and will organise the training of Ukrainian forces on EU soil.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Director General of the European Union Military Staff</span> Head of the European Union Military Staff

The Director General of the European Union Military Staff (DGEUMS) is the head of the European Union Military Staff (EUMS) who also serves as Director of the Military Planning and Conduct Capability. This position, which was established in 2001, is held by a three-star general. The current holder is lieutenant general Michiel van der Laan, occupying the position since June 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability</span> Organisation within the European Union

The Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability (CPCC) is the directorate of the External Action Service (EEAS) of the European Union (EU) that serves as operational headquarters (OHQ) for the civilian missions of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Structure of the Common Security and Defence Policy</span> European Union military structure

This article outlines the present structure of the European Union's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), a part of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) based on articles 42–46 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU). Article 42.2 of TEU states that the CSDP includes the 'progressive framing' of a common Union defence policy, and will lead to a common defence, when the European Council of national heads of state or government, acting unanimously, so decides.

This article outlines the command and control structure of the European Union's missions, which are deployed as part of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). This structure ranges from the political strategic level to the tactical level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crisis Management and Planning Directorate (European Union)</span>

The Crisis Management and Planning Directorate (CMPD) is a body within the European Union's (EU) External Action Service (EEAS) that is in charge of the integrated civilian-military planning within the sphere of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).

The Director of the Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability is the head of the European External Action Service's (EEAS) Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability (CPCC) who also serves as Civilian Operations Commander. The Civ OpCdr exercises command and control at strategic level for the operational planning and conduct of all civilian crisis management missions deployed as part of the European Union's (EU) security and defence policy (CSDP). The Civ OpCdr is assisted by number of senior policy experts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joint Support Coordination Cell</span>

The Joint Support Coordination Cell (JSCC) is the planned security and defence (CSDP) body of the European Union's (EU) European External Action Service (EEAS) that will provide for relations between the civilian and military planning and conduct capabilities, abbreviated CPCC and MPCC, respectively, in the context of civilian and military missions missions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kortenberg building</span> Office building in Brussels, Belgium

The Kortenberg building is an office building of the European Union (EU) in Brussels, Belgium. It houses mostly bodies related to the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">European Union–NATO relations</span> Bilateral relations

The European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) are two main treaty-based Western organisations for cooperation between member states, both headquartered in Brussels, Belgium. Their natures are different and they operate in different spheres: NATO is a purely intergovernmental organisation functioning as a military alliance, which serves to implement article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty on collective territorial defence. The EU on the other hand is a partly supranational and partly intergovernmental sui generis entity akin to a confederation that entails wider economic and political integration. Unlike NATO, the EU pursues a foreign policy in its own right—based on consensus, and member states have equipped it with tools in the field of defence and crisis management; the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) structure.

References

  1. "CONSILIUM - Chairman EUMC". Archived from the original on 2012-02-13. Retrieved 2018-01-19.
  2. "Impetus" (PDF). eeas.europa.eu. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  3. EU Command and Control, p. 13, Military Staff
  4. "2342nd Council meeting - GENERAL AFFAIRS - Luxembourg, 9 April 2001". ec.europa.eu. European Commission. 9 April 2001. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  5. http://www.consilium.europa.eu/eeas/security-defence/csdp-structures-and-instruments/eu-military-committee-(eumc)/chairman-eumc/eumc-activities/eumc-6-november-2012 [ dead link ]
  6. "General Kostarakos elected president of the EU Military Committee". To Vima. 14 November 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  7. "European Union Military Committee (EUMC), EU Chiefs of Defence, 6-7 November 2017". consilium.europa.eu. Council of the EU. 4 May 2018. Retrieved 5 January 2022.
  8. "European Union Military Committee (EUMC), EU chiefs of defence, 19 May 2021". consilium.europa.eu/. Council of the EU and the European Council. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  9. "CEUMC Visit to Italy". eeas.europa.eu. European Union. 20 June 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2022.