Debate: EU Rapid Deployment Capacity, EU Battlegroups and Article  TEU: the way forward
Date: TUESDAY, 18 APRIL 2023
Speaker: Johannes Hahn
Language: EN

The setting up of the EU Rapid Deployment Capacity is one of the key tasks derived from the Strategic Compass and among its most visible and concrete deliverables. The EU Rapid Deployment Capacity will enable the EU to act rapidly and robustly whenever a crisis erupts, with partners, if possible, and alone when necessary. As the report rightly considers, the Rapid Deployment Capacity is crucial for closing the gap between the Union’s level of ambition and its actual capabilities. Events in recent years, such as the collapse of the government in Afghanistan and the subsequent evacuation of Kabul, have shown the need for the Union to have means and capabilities to quickly react to such crisis situations. EU Member States decided, with the Strategic Compass, that the EU Rapid Deployment Capacity will be fully operational by 2025. It will consist of substantially modified EU battlegroups and pre-identified military forces and capabilities from the Member States. In recent months, the Union has taken concrete steps towards that goal. First, operational scenarios: in line with the Strategic Compass, the first two operational scenarios were adopted by the Council in November 2022. These two documents outline how the Union will concretely act in specific situations, such as rescue and evacuation operations or the initial phase of stabilisation. These operational scenarios, as you also indicate in the report, will be used for EU crisis management exercises, including live exercises. Second, and related, conceptual framework: the ‘military rapid response concept’ was agreed by the EU Military Committee in March, providing a comprehensive guidebook on how to establish this EU capacity of up to 5 000 troops. Work continues on the identification of the necessary capabilities, including strategic enablers. It goes without saying that coordination with NATO will be of utmost importance. Third, live exercise and financial solidarity / common costs: the EU will conduct its first full-fledged live exercise later this year. The EU has never done this before, so this will be an important step forward. The recent ad hoc decision to finance this exercise with the European Peace Facility will build solidarity, improve readiness and interoperability of our forces. In line with the Strategic Compass, work will follow on common financing of the EU Rapid Deployment Capacity and the common costs of military CSDP missions and operations. We fully support your calls to Member States to show political will and provide adequate funds and the personnel needed to deliver on the EU Rapid Deployment Capacity. Fourth, the development of the Military Planning And Conduct Capability: the aim is making it the preferred EU command structure, including for the EU Rapid Deployment Capacity, once it reaches full operational capacity, set for 2025. We are working towards enabling the military planning and conduct capability also to plan and conduct small-scale executive operations and exercises in line with the Strategic Compass. Fifth, decision-making: all decisions about the EU Rapid Deployment Capacity are adopted by the EU Member States by unanimity, but we are also working to speed up decision-making. For example, discussions have advanced on the use of Article 44 of the Treaty of the European Union to enable a group of willing and able Member States to plan and conduct a mission or operation within the EU framework. One year after the adoption of the Strategic Compass, we can be satisfied with the substantial progress achieved, including with the development of the EU Rapid Deployment Capacity. Once again, allow me to thank you on behalf of High Representative Borrell for Parliament’s support in all these efforts.