Russia, EU strengthen military cooperation

The meeting between Leader of the Russian General Staff and First Deputy Defence Minister Nikolai Makarov and General Håkan Syren from the EU Military Committee took place in Moscow on Friday this week.

Ways how to strengthen cooperation was main point on the agenda, RIA Novosti reports.

-We are giving big emphasis to the upcoming talks, as well as joint action, between Russia and the European Union, Nikolai Makarov told RIA Novosti. –We have a number of questions which need to be discussed, and which are important for the understanding of both ours’ and yours’ positions, he added to Mr. Syren, who was also present at the short press meeting.

The EU Military Committee directs all EU military activities and provides the Political and Security Committee (PSC) with advice and recommendations on military matters. The EUMC is composed of the Chiefs of Defence (CHOD) of the Member States, who are regularly represented by their permanent Military Representatives. The committee was set up with a decision by the EU Council on 22 January 2001.

Read more about the committe at consilium.europa.eu