Brussels, 14/11/2006 (Agence Europe) - EU Defence Ministers stated on Monday 13 November that the battlegroups (units of 1500 combat soldiers) will be fully operational from January 2007. From the beginning of next year, the EU will therefore have two battlegroups on constant standby, that is, deployable within fifteen days to carry out two separate operations simultaneously. The battlegroups available between 2007 and 2009 are: 1st term 2007, battlegroup France/Belgium and battlegroup Germany/Netherlands/Finland; 2nd term 2007, battlegroup Italy/Hungary/Slovenia and battlegroup Greece/Bulgaria/Cyprus/Romania; 1st term 2008 battlegroup Sweden/Finland/Estonia/Norway, and battlegroup France/Germany/Spain/Portugal; 2nd term 2008: battlegroup United Kingdom and battlegroup Germany/France/Spain/Belgium/Luxembourg. Each framework nation will organise training exercises for the battlegroups. The first will be held on 21 November in Germany, for the battlegroup bringing together Germany, the Netherlands and Finland.
French Defence Minister Michèle Alliot-Marie told the press that she had suggested maritime and air battlegroups should be set up, initially tasked with increasing the EU's airlift capability. (Source: Atlantic News) (oj)