The Informal Defence Ministers Meeting of EU member-states will take place at the “Zappeion Megaron” in Athens, on February 20 and 21, 2014, in the framework of the Greek Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Apart from the Ministers of Defence of the 28 member-states, the meeting will also be attended by delegates from the European External Action Service (EEAS), the European Commission, the European Defence Agency (EDA), the European Military Staff (EUMS) and European Military Committee (EUMC).
The meeting will be chaired by the Minister of National Defence Dimitris Avramopoulos. Given the fact that Mr. Avramopoulos will chair the Council, Greece as member-state, will be represented by the Alternate Minister of National Defence Fofi Gennimata.
The General Secretary of NATO, Anders Fogh Rasmussen and the United Nations Under-Secretary General for Peacekeeping Operations, Herve Ladsous will participate in the works of the meeting.
During the meeting, discussions are expected to be held concerning the outcome of the European Council of December 2013, emphasizing on planning the implementation of the EC conclusions.
Special reference will also be made to EU Common Security and Defence Policy operations (ATALANTA in the Horn of Africa, EUFOR ALTHEA in Bosnia-Herzegovina, ΕU Training Mission in Mali and ΕU Training Mission in Somalia).
Finally, the currently planned EU operation in the Central African Republic will be a separate session at the meeting.
On the sidelines of the works, Mr. Avramopoulos will also have bilateral contacts with his counterparts, while on Friday February 21 in the morning he will host a working breakfast for the Ministers of Defence who belong to the European People’s Party.