Margarita Robles attends the meeting of defence ministers of the European Union
Margarita Robles attended the meeting of European Union defence ministers in Brussels, convened by the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell.
In the first session, defence ministers discussed EU support for Ukraine. In particular, progress on Air Defence supplies and ammunition, as well as ways to strengthen military assistance. The High Representative then set out the EU's future security commitments to Ukraine. The second part of the session was attended by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov (via videoconference).
During her speech, Robles reiterated that "Spain remains fully committed to this effort by all and maintains the priority it has given to donations to Ukraine", and announced the forthcoming shipment of a large consignment of military aid, including Leopard tanks, armoured vehicles, howitzers, missiles and artillery ammunition.
The minister stressed the importance of yesterday's signing of a bilateral security agreement with Ukraine, which will underpin consistent support to the country over the longer term. She also pointed out that "we will continue to contribute to six capability coalitions in the framework of the Contact Group (Armoured, Maritime Security, Artillery, Anti-Aircraft Defence, Information Technology and Demining)".
Second session
In the second working session, the defence ministers discussed the Common Security and Defence Policy commitments in the Sahel and the Red Sea, the strategic review of the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) and the implementation of the new EU Rapid Deployment Capacity.
In her speech, Robles took the opportunity to pay tribute to all the European Union troops who, for more than 10 years, have served in Mali and at the headquarters and to military staff who have supported the EUTM Mali mission. "The stability and security of the Sahel must remain a priority for the European Union," she said, "and that entails maintaining our missions for as long as necessary, with more flexible mandates, adapted to the realities on the ground and to local needs.
Finally, Minister Robles participated in the closing meeting dedicated to the EU's Defence Readiness, during which measures to strengthen the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base were analysed. Robles expressed her support for the progress being made by the European Union in this area, stressing the need to promote competitiveness, as well as to "improve innovation and boost investment in defence, both by individual member states and by the Union's institutions".
Non official translation
