(L-R) Yuriko Backes, Luxembourg’s Defence Minister; Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy;
Credit: MAEE
Luxembourg’s Defence Minister, Yuriko Backes, participated in the informal meeting of European Union Defence Ministers, which was held from Tuesday 30 to Wednesday 31 January 2024 under the Belgian presidency, in Brussels.
On Tuesday, on the sidelines of the informal meeting of Defence Ministers, Yuriko Backes participated in the high-level Symposium on Military Mobility 2024, organised jointly by the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the European Defence Agency. The minister was a panellist at the ministerial round table on measures to support military mobility in the new security context, alongside the Minister of Defence of the Netherlands, Kajsa Ollongren, and the Parliamentary State Secretary for the Ministry of Defence of Germany, Siemtje Möller.
“Military mobility is an essential component of the EU's ambition to become a reliable and credible security provider. We must be able to move our troops and military assets quickly and efficiently when the situation requires it. Military mobility is a fundamental element of our defence capability.” highlighted Yuriko Backes during her intervention.
Minister Backes also had a first bilateral meeting with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell. The interview focused on the war in Ukraine and its consequences, and in particular, the means that the EU will continue to deploy in support of Ukraine through the European Peace Facility and/or the European Defence Agency. The worrying security situation in the Red Sea and the EU action in preparation aimed at stabilising the situation in the region were also discussed.
The next day, during the informal meeting at the Egmont Palace, the EU Defence Ministers exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine and discussed the priorities of the EU support to Ukraine in the short, medium and long term, in particular via the EU Military Assistance Mission for Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine) and the European Peace Facility.
In this context, the ministers notably took stock of the progress of the military support initiative for Ukraine through the joint acquisition of 155mm ammunition. During her speech, Minister Backes reaffirmed that “Luxembourg will maintain its resolute support for Ukraine for as long as necessary.” She added: “As we approach the third year of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, it is essential that our collective support for Ukraine remains unwavering.”
The EU defence ministers also discussed the European defence industrial strategy as well as the operational challenges in the Sahel and the Red Sea.
