Oostenrijk en Duitsland gaan nauwer samenwerken op defensie-gebied (en)

Austrian-German communiqué agreed

The Defence Ministers of Germany and Austria, Franz Josef Jung and Günter Platter, have agreed close cooperation during the EU Presidency at a meeting in Tyrol.

Developments in the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) are particularly important to Austria and Germany in this context. The two ministers view the ESDP as the area of EU development which could take on a new pioneering role. Jung assured his Austrian counterpart of his full support during the Presidency.

MILITARY CAPABILITIES

Further development of military capabilities, in particular the EU's capability to respond rapidly to a crisis, e.g. with the battle groups, is a priority of the Presidency programme (Helsinki Headline Goal).

Germany and Austria have agreed to form a battle group with the Czech Republic, which can be deployed for the full range of Petersberg missions and will probably be available to the EU in 2011/2012. The two countries are thus making a valuable contribution to early, effective crisis management in the framework of Europe's responsibility for global security.

SUCCESSFUL COOPERATION

The ministers emphasised that the Austrian and German armed forces already worked together extremely well. Austria will in particular have to address developments in the Western Balkans and ongoing operations will have to be continued. The two countries agree on the importance of stability and security in the Western Balkans and of European integration of this region.

• 1. 

  Bosnia-Herzegovina: A key initiative in this connection is the EU-led ALTHEA operation in Bosnia-Herzegovina (Germany has deployed 1 000 soldiers and Austria around 300). The German and Austrian contingents are working closely together on that operation.
• 2. 

  Kosovo: The two armed forces have been cooperating closely in the NATO-led KFOR operation in Kosovo since 1999. At present, Austria has command of a mechanised infantry battalion that includes 150 Swiss and 80 German soldiers in addition to 530 Austrians.
• 3. 

  Operations outside Europe:

  • 1. 

    Afghanistan: Since 2003, Austrian and German soldiers have together been making an important contribution to the stabilisation and reconstruction of Afghanistan in the framework of ISAF.
  • 2. 

    Indonesia: Austria is providing one and Germany four observers and staff officers to the EU-led observer mission in Aceh.

ARMAMENTS: Germany and Austria are cooperating closely in procurement of the Eurofighter and Dingo APV (all protected vehicle). The two armed forces are also liaising in the area of the Leopard battle tank and Jaguar tank destroyer.

CIVIL-MILITARY COORDINATION (CMCO)

"We consider improving civilian-military cooperation at European level to be a particularly important project. The events surrounding the tsunami disaster and the catastrophic floods in the USA show that our perception of this need is correct", the ministers said.

The existing Civil-Military Cell within the EU Military Staff is a first tangible sign and the establishment of an operations centre is the next step. The German Brigadier General Horst-Heinrich Brauss is the first head of this Cell.

In a trilateral initiative with the UK and Finland, Austria has already laid the foundations for a thorough analysis, comprehensive planning, targeted development of capabilities, effective management of operations and evaluation of progress in this area. This ensures ongoing liaison and coordination on the individual approaches to civilian-military cooperation over three presidencies, which will be continued by Germany.

TRAINING

Austria and Germany are also cooperating in the field of joint training of officers and NCOs and simulator work. Soldiers from the one country regularly attend training courses and seminars in the other (two Austrian officers are currently undergoing training on the German armed forces' course for general staff in Hamburg and at the Institute for Microbiology of the Medical Academy in Munich).

As in previous years, there will be many joint exercises in 2006 to improve cooperation in international peacekeeping operations. The numerous contacts between Austrian and German units will be developed and intensified.