Klich - ‘common defence’ is EU presidency priority

Klich said this primarily concerns the development of EU combat groups, research on new types of armaments, EU cooperation with NATO as well as eastern partners.

One of the problems to be tackled during the Polish presidency will be defining in practical terms the operations of EU combat groups.

“These cannot only be costly paper structures. They need to have real application in various situations, either as an Initial Entry Force or an operation back-up,” Minister Klich stressed.

The Polish defence ministry will also work towards tightening strategic dialogue between the EU and NATO, he declared.

Especially important will be better Union coordination of actions conducted both in the military as well as civilian sphere.

During the upcoming EU presidency which begins on 1 July Poland’s defence ministry is also intent on developing broader cooperation with countries encompassed by the Eastern Partnership project, mainly through including them in various EU military missions.

So far, only Ukraine had formal consent for joining such actions. (ss)