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The Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Mr. Alan Shatter, T.D.,
this evening attends an informal meeting of EU Defence Ministers


The Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Mr. Alan Shatter, T.D., is, this evening, attending an informal meeting of EU Defence Ministers in Wroclaw Poland, which is being held under the auspices of the Polish Presidency of the European Union.
The agenda for discussion includes a review of current EU missions abroad, the present situation in Libya and partnerships between the EU, the UN, NATO and third countries.

The Minister, along with his colleagues, will receive a briefing from Colonel Michael Beary of the Irish Defence Forces who has recently been appointed as the Mission Commander of the EU Training Mission in Somalia. The role being undertaken by Colonel Beary is further recognition of the high standing of the Defence Forces internationally in the field of peace support operations. The participants will also receive detailed briefings from the Operational and Mission Commanders of EUNAVFOR Atalanta ( the EU’s anti-piracy mission off Somailia) and EUFOR – Althea (the EU mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina).
For a number of years, EU Defence Ministers have met twice during each 6 month presidency, holding one formal gathering in Brussels under the auspices of the EU’s Foreign Affairs Council (previously the GAERC) and informally in the host country under the auspices of the rotating Presidency. Ireland’s continuing support for the EU Common Security and Defence Policy reflects Government policy for a positive re-engagement with the Union.

22 September 2011
END

Note for the Editor

The EU’s Common and Defence Policy (CSDP) is an integral part of the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy, which encompasses the EU’s international obligations to the maintenance of international peace and security. The primary function of CSDP is to provide the Union with an operational capacity to undertake peacekeeping, conflict prevention, strengthening, international security and crisis management missions outside the territory of the Member States.

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