JCBRN Defence COE hosted a prestigious delegation of European Union representatives from 14 to 15 February 2013 in Vyškov, Czech Republic. The Vyškov meeting was a continuation of the consultation originally held in Brussels on 10 December 2012 and launched as a response to the JCBRN Defence COE SC task to examine how we can better cooperate with the EU. These talks centered on cooperation between the JCBRN Defence COE and EU entities. The aim was to clarify the intent and expectations of the EU entities and the possibilities of collaboration with the COE.
CDR Jean-Louis LAGUETTE (EUMS - European Union Military Staff), Mr Bruno DUPRE (EEAS-European External Action Service) and Mr. Gerlof DE WILDE (EDA - European Defence Agency) represented the EU. COL Jiří GAJDOŠ (Dir), COL Rainer SCHULTE (TSD Dir), LTC Jaroslav BOREK (TEED Acting Dir), Mr. Aleš OŠKERA (LEGAD), WO Tomas ANDR (Dir Assistant) represented the COE along with the representatives of the JCBRN Def COE sponsoring nations (GB, GR, PL, RO and CZ).
The JCBRN Def COE Dir first offered a welcome and short introduction of the participants. Afterward, the first part of the program included a presentation, briefly describing the history, challenges and plans for further development of the JCBRN Def COE.
The EU entities provided the second block of presentations and information. The topics included: 1. Instrument for Stability - CBRN Risk Mitigation (Centres of Excellence) provided by the EEAS representative, 2. CBRN work strands in the EDA provided by the EDA representative, 3. A short info briefing provided by the EUMS representative.
Both organizations generally agreed to continue further negotiations and develop solutions to the following main tasks: (1) For the EU to identify and specify requirements / objectives, (2) For the JCBRN Def COE to evaluate these requirements (material, organizational, technical and financial issues), (3) For the EU and JCBRN Def COE to solve these issues at the appropriate levels.
Author: WO Tomas Andr
Photo: Mrs. Hana Jurcova