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Meeting with the NATO Sec Gen at the
Informal meeting of Defence Ministers
CSDP
structures and
instruments
CSDP Seminar
I
n order to enable the European Union fully to assume
its responsibilities for crisis management, the European
Council (Nice, December 2000) decided to establish permanent political and military structures. These structures
include the Political and Security Committee (PSC) and the
European Union Military Committee (EUMC), both of which
visited Ireland and the DFTC for a briefing and demonstration on military capabilities during the presidency period.
The PSC meets at ambassadorial level as a preparatory
body for the Council of the EU. Its main functions are keeping track of the international situation, and helping to define policies within the CFSP, including the CSDP. It prepares
a coherent EU response to a crisis and exercises its political
control and strategic direction.
The EUMC is the highest military body set up within the
Council. It is composed of the chiefs of defence of the EU's
member states, who are regularly represented by their
permanent military representatives based in Brussels. The
EUMC provides the PSC with advice and recommendations
on all military matters within the EU.
Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence Mr Alan Shatter
T.D. with participants at CSDP Seminar in Dublin Castle
PSC visit to the DFTC
An Cosantóir July/August 2013 www.dfmagazine.ie
EUMC visit to Farmleigh
