site.btaDefence Minister: Improving Military Mobility Is Key to Effective EU Operations

Brussels, June 8 (BTA) - Bulgaria's Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Krassimir Karakachanov opened a Military Mobility Symposium in Brussels on Thursday. The event entitled "Military Mobility - Key to European Security" was co-organized by the Defence Ministry and the European Defence Agency (EDA) and is part of Bulgaria's EU Council Presidency.

Political and military decision-makers including the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller, EDA Chief Executive Jorge Domecq, high-level officials of Member States and allied countries, EU bodies and NATO, and other stakeholders assessed progress in, and exchanged views on, European military mobility.

In his opening address, Karakachanov said: "The boundaries between internal and external security issues are getting less distinct, the hybrid nature of conflicts is becoming the rule. Improving military mobility is key to the EU's ability to effectively carry out its Common Security and Defence Policy operations. Ensuring fast and efficient movement of military contingents and materiel, within and outside EU territory, will enable our Union to effectively react to the challenges of the present highly dynamic strategic environment".

High-level representatives of governments and armed forces, NATO and EU representatives discussed the future development of military mobility in two panels on interaction and coordination and on the defence requirements to military mobility.

Bulgaria's Deputy Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov moderated the first panel, which focused on aspects of interaction and coordination at national level and within the EU and NATO.

In his closing speech, Jorge Domecq emphasized that "military mobility is not just about defence. A whole-of-government approach is necessary to achieve results. At EU level we have already taken our share of responsibility and all the relevant EU institutions, agencies and bodies are already working together to better serve the Member States' needs. Looking at the European Council at the end of June, it is important for heads of State and government to address the issue in order to mobilize a whole-of-government approach."