The twenty-eight EU Chiefs of Defence, gathered in Brussels 20-21 November for the second Military Committee conference of 2019.

General Claudio Graziano chaired the meeting and welcomed the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy who addressed the Committee at the beginning of the Conference.

During the two day meeting, the European Chiefs of Defence focused their attention on EU's military operations and missions, EU battlegroups as well as EU military capabilities and had a dedicated session on EU – NATO cooperation. 

In particular, the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach, participated, reinforcing once again, the strengthening bond between NATO and the EU. This session was a great opportunity to update EU CHODs on recent advances in EU/NATO cooperation and they were briefed on NATO activities and the implementation of the common set of proposals.

Chiefs of Defence and military representatives from Partner and some guests Countries, including from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Jordan, Republic of Korea, Moldova, Montenegro, Republic of North Macedonia, Serbia Ukraine and Vietnam, were present in pertinent sessions and participated in the discussion providing their own, enriching view.

They were also updated on the current security situation in Ukraine.

Finally, Defence Chiefs addressed the latest developments in digitalisation and artificial intelligence, and the implications for military operations.

The discussions were very fruitful and the EU CHODs shared a common vision and ambition on important issues.

The CHODs had a frank and fruitful discussion on the necessary measures that could contribute to increasing the robustness and effectiveness of EU Training Mission while stressing the need to encourage the EU Member States to make available required resources, capabilities and troops to EUTMs (Mali, Somali, Central Africa Republic).