An Cosantóir

24 | EU AND NATO CO-OPERATION Sgt Maj George Davis tells us about his work with the EU Cell at SHAPE (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe)… NATO and the EU share common strategic interests and co-operate in a spirit of partnership to prevent and resolve crises and armed conflicts in Europe and beyond. The EU cell are here in SHAPE, (Mons) as part of the Berlin Plus Agreement established to prevent the two organisations from overlapping. The level of co-operation between the two organisations is still building and the continued improvement of EU/NATO relations is a stated priority of the new EU Higher Representative, Catherine Ashton. Out of NATO’s 28 countries 21 are also member states of the EU, so both are drawing from the same pool of resources in relation to troops, funding and equipment. Our main role here is the gathering and sharing of information that is of use to both organisations. This is of particular relevance in the three areas that both organisations have forces deployed: Afghanistan, Kosovo, and the Horn of Africa. An EU police mission (EUPOL) and NATO’s ISAF mission are both deployed in Afghanistan; an EU Rule of Law (EULEX) mission and KFOR are deployed in Kosovo; and the EU’s Operation GETTING THE MESSAGE OUT Lt Col Michael Kiernan explains his role as Public Relations/ Public Information Officer with EUMS… I have a ‘stand-alone’ position as the sole Public Relations/Public Information (PR/PI) officer within the Executive Office of the EUMS. I work directly under our director general, Lt Gen Ton Van Osch (Netherlands), and from a press and media point of view I have to be prepared to act as his spokesperson as required. I also act as the interface between the Brussels- An Cosantóir June .dfmagazine.ie www 2011 based media and the director general and the EUMS. Another important function I carry out is briefing newly arrived personnel on where they fit into the EUMS and where the EUMS, as the only permanent military structure in the EU, fits into the newly established European External Action Service (EEAS). I am also responsible for projecting a positive image of the EUMS to a wide audience, both within EU institutions and further afield; hence our active participation in major defence exhibitions such as Eurosatory and Euronaval (Paris), the annual EU open- day, and regular presentations on the role of the EUMS to a wide range of interested parties. On a day-to-day basis I also produce an EU news digest for our internal audience focused on our current CSDP military and civilian missions. Twice a year, I produce Impetus magazine, the bulletin of the EUMS. Among all the publications to be found on crisis management here in the EU, Impetus is particularly targeted at the military audience. I do enjoy the job, although I must admit that no matter how well prepared you think you are coming out here it still takes a while to understand the EU’s ‘machinery’ and where everything fits into place! Working in EUMS PR/PI requires an understanding of a wide range of current issues; you need to know what’s going on ‘in-house’ in each of the directorates and how it connects to the crisis management mechanism. The job can be demanding but overall it is a highly rewarding experience to work at this political strategic level. Atalanta and NATO’s Ocean Shield mission are both operating against pirates off the Horn of Africa. To prevent unnecessary duplication and overlapping both organisations pool resources where possible. This cuts down on costs and makes the overall mission more efficient and effective. For example, NATO allows the EU access to its operational HQ facilities such as here in SHAPE. Close co-operation between the EU and NATO is an important element in the development of an international, comprehensive approach to crisis management and operations, which requires the effective application of both military and civilian means. While NATO is a military alliance the EU is not and this is reflected in the EU’s approach to crisis management, which encompasses far more than just military requirements. For instance, when the EU looks at a situation they might identify justice reform or the training of police and military forces or assistance with establishing democratic structures or the need for structural funds, as the best way to provide assistance to a country in need. That’s the concept of the comprehensive approach. NATO and the EU are both seeking a strong partnership at all levels, from assets deployed on the ground up to political headquarters level in Brussels and the EU cell in SHAPE is playing its part in helping to put these ideas into practice.

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