Brussels, 13/09/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 12 September, the European Parliament repeated its calls for a permanent EU, military HQ. European capability of this kind has long been called for, but its proponents are up against the firm opposition of the United Kingdom.
The report by MEP Marietta Giannakou (EPP, Greece), on “The EU's military structures: state of play and future prospects”, was adopted by 403 votes to 178, with 37 abstentions. The report follows a single guiding principle: reinforcing the EU's capabilities in terms of the conduct and planning of military operations. How? By creating permanent EU headquarters, reinforcing the CSDP, improving battlegroups, developing joint capability and pooling training resources. These proposals will be enshrined at the Council of December 2013, the Parliament hopes. (JK/transl.fl)