General Pitarch addressed a speech titled "Europe of the Defence: Reason of Peace"

Sevilla (Spain), 5th June 2008

Following the agenda of his travel to Spain, General Pitarch addressed this evening a speech titled "Europe of the Defence: Reason of Peace" at a conference in the Antares Foundation Forum of Sevilla.

In his address, General Pitarch broached several subjects: firstly he highlighted the importance for the European Defence of the development of the concept of Reinforced Cooperation and Permanent Structured Cooperation in the Treaty of Lisbon. Then he tackled the need for significant advances in the European Common Security and its complementariness with NATO, credibility and legitimacy as main values of Eurocorps built on its experience and participating nations, as well as its decision-making system.

Finally he stressed the importance of the yesterday’s approved proposition of the European Parliament to place Eurocorps as a standing force under EU command.

General Pitarch declared to the media that this proposal is a "great step forward" opening the way for a future European army. General Hubert De Vos, Eurocorps Deputy Chief of Staff Operations, also welcomed this proposal.

Articles mentioning this speech:

ABC Sevilla 06/06/08

Picture: FUTER