It is lunchtime in the centre of Brussels and eurocrats are sitting down to steak frites in the subsidised canteen of the EU council of ministers. It is, however, the military olive greens, blues and khakis that catch the eye, with the discreet flash of gold braid or a brightly coloured epaulette. Yet the gradual development of the EU's defence identity has brought scores of uniformed soldiers, sailors and airmen to the institutional heart of Europe to plan for future conflicts and crises. None of these well-tailored chaps are fighting men with mud on their boots, but rather armchair warriors waging the battles that need to be won before the EU can add some military muscle to the economic weight of its mighty single market and single currency. This week, another significant landmark was passed when the 15 chiefs of staff recommended their Finnish colleague, Gustav Hagglund, as the chairman of the EU military committee for the next three years.
Political sensitivities are immense.
British officials insist that any decision to deploy the RRF would be made by consensus. No EU member would be forced to participate in any operation. It is the question of relations between the EU force and Nato that generates most anxiety - in both Brussels and Washington. Klaus Schuwirth, a German general, heads the 50-strong military staff. Graham Messervy-Whiting, a British soldier with fluent French and a background in intelligence, is his deputy.