The Minister of National Defence, Mihnea Motoc, participated in the Meetings of the Steering Committee of the European Defence Agency and the Foreign Affairs Council in Defence Ministers Format held in Luxembourg on April 18 and 19.

During the meeting of the steering Committee of EDA, the ministers of defence were briefed on the implementation of the Policy Framework for Systematic and Long-Term Defence Cooperation and the Agency's propositions regarding the strategic autonomy of EU. The defence ministers discussed the stage of implementing the decisions of the European Councils meetings of December 2013 and June 2015 on the development of defence capabilities, stimulating the research activity and technological development with a view to developing the defence capabilities and supporting the Technological Base of the European defence industry.

The Foreign Affairs Council sessions focused on the major security aspects on European defence agenda, hybrid threats and the progress registered in implementing the initiative on consolidating capacities in support of security and development. In his intervention, minister Mihnea Motoc highlighted the importance of enhancing cooperation of EU and NATO in countering hybrid threats.

In a special session dedicated to EU's present and future involvement in Afghanistan, in which NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, participated, EU's commitment in Afghanistan was encouraged, to support development and professionalization of the Afghan civil police after 2016.

On Monday, April 18, while at the reunion, minister Motoc participated, along the Foreign Affairs Minister Lazar Comanescu, in discussions where EU defence and foreign affairs minister analyzed the main political and security developments in Libya and ways of supporting the processes of stabilyzing the country.

Press Department