EUROMIL delegation in the European Parliament Subcommittee for Security and Defence (E. Jacob, President EUROMIL, B. Gertz, Vice-President of EUROMIL, A. Tichoniuk, Presidium member EUROMIL) Photo: Parlement européen copyright

EUROMIL advocates common standards for operational welfare and medical care in the European Parliament Subcommittee for Security and Defence.

A EUROMIL delegation composed of Emmanuel Jacob, President of EUROMIL, Bernhard Gertz, Vice-President and Anatol Tichoniuk, Presidium member presented EUROMIL’s recommendations for multinational crisis-management operations in the European Parliament Subcommittee for Security and Defence on 27 May 2008 in Brussels.

The Chairman of the Security and Defence Subcommittee Mr. von Wogau introduced the meeting by emphasising the risks soldiers are exposed to in multinational crisis-management missions. This necessitates an increased emphasis on protective equipment, common training  and shared standards in military law to minimize the risks for soldiers during common international military missions.

The EUROMIL-delegates Jacob, Tichoniuk and Gertz advocated the development of common standards for medical care and operational welfare. A permanent exchange of experiences and best-practice on these issues between member states would support them in their capability development process. The EUROMIL-delegates reminded that a  conscious emphasis on operational welfare and medical promotes the re-enlisting of experienced soldiers.  

The MEPs present and the EUROMIL-delegates agreed on the need to develop common rules of engagement and to reduce cumbersome national caveats.

The Members of the European Parliament acknowledged the work of EUROMIL and proposed a regular exchange of experiences between the Subcommittee for Security and Defence and EUROMIL in the future. They emphasized the importance to get a realistic picture of the soldiers’ engagement in the field. This is possible in a forum like EUROMIL where an open exchange of experiences and views can take place without having to observe any special considerations as set by official national positions or by a chain of command.

EUROMIL is the umbrella organization of 35 military associations and trade unions in 24 European countries representing approximately 500.000 servicemen and their close relatives.

 For further information please contact EUROMIL +32 2 626 06 83