The Minister for Defence attends the informal meeting of European Union Defence ministers

The Minister for Defence, Margarita Robles, talks with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell

The Minister for Defence, Margarita Robles, has taken part in the informal meeting of EU defence ministers. Although these meetings usually take place in the capital of the Member State holding the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union, on this occasion it was held in Brussels on an exceptional basis.

During the meeting, which was chaired by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, the EU's military support to Ukraine was discussed first, followed by issues related to current challenges to the security and defence of the EU.

The session devoted to military support for Ukraine enabled Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov to convey his military needs to EU defence ministers by videoconference. Ministers coordinated their support to Ukraine and exchanged information on ongoing initiatives.

Robles, in her first speech, acknowledged the decisive leadership assumed by High Representative Borrell in this area, which has made it possible not only to help Ukraine effectively, but also to make progress in the construction of European defence itself.

The minister reiterated Spain's firm support for Ukraine for as long as necessary, as demonstrated by the successive shipments of military and humanitarian material, the training given to its soldiers, and the care given to soldiers wounded in combat and their families. Robles assured that the European Union's various initiatives to provide Ukraine with more and better resources will always have Spanish support.

During the second session, the security situation in the southern region and in North Africa was analysed. A number of issues related to defence preparedness and to meeting the needs of the European Union, among others, by promoting its defence industry as set out in the Strategic Compass, were also discussed.

Minister Robles called for Europe's commitment to peace and security to be maintained, pointing out the need not to leave behind situations such as that of Afghanistan, three years after the withdrawal of the ISAF mission, and advocating the continuation of efforts to help that country recover hope and coexistence as soon as possible, and to try to alleviate the difficult situation that women and children, in particular, are currently facing.

She also expressed concern about the situation in Africa, stressing the importance of the ATALANTA mission to fight piracy, to protect the UN World Food Programme and to promote Maritime Security. On the Sahel, she affirmed the need not to leave empty spaces for undesirable actors or terrorism, and urged to continue promoting and transferring the values we share to the countries of the region on their path towards peace, stability and development.

After the informal meeting, Robles took part in a working lunch dedicated to the European Union's Satellite Centre (SATCEN). During the meeting, the contribution of the Centre, based in Torrejón, to following up on and monitoring the latest international crises - in which it has provided the European Union with an autonomous capacity to obtain geospatial intelligence - was highlighted. Minister Robles praised the capabilities of the centre, highlighting its strategic and unique character in the EU, and acknowledged its potential for the future.

Non official translation