The Eurocorps is able to meet all current and future challenges, assured Lieutenant General Jarosław Gromadziński, who took command of this structure in Strasbourg on Thursday. The Eurocorps is an important part of European security, and its role is all the more important in the current situation, when Europe must be united against Russian aggression in Ukraine, the head of the Ministry of National Defense Mariusz Błaszczak said at the ceremony.
Last year’s events fundamentally changed the security environment in Europe; the unprovoked Russian aggression against Ukraine has destroyed the sense of peace and stability in all our countries
– said the Minister of National Defense at the ceremony in Strasbourg.
As he stressed, now more than ever Europe must be united against the Russian onslaught.
The Eurocorps is a very important part of our security; this command, its state of readiness and ability to respond is important for repelling threats from all strategic directions that other countries may face – stressed Błaszczak.
The head of the Ministry of National Defense drew attention to the special role of the Eurocorps, which operates as part of both NATO and European Union missions and operations.
However, the uniqueness of the Eurocorps creates an obligation to maintain a balance between the two organizations
he reserved.
In 2022, Poland became the sixth Eurocorps cadre nation, and this ceremony opens a new chapter in Poland’s presence in this structure; I am confident that General Gromadziński will prove himself very well as the commander of the Eurocorps, demonstrating full professionalism and dedication to his duties.
Blaszczak concluded.
Eurocorps has extensive operational experience within the EU and NATO and is able to meet all current and future challenges; we draw on the experience of different countries, but we share common values
– emphasized Lieutenant General Jarosław Gromadziński in his speech.
Challenges for Europe
Today, however, Europe faces more complex and multidimensional challenges, he warned.
In the east, there is a large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, hybrid attacks on the borders, insecurity in the south and in Africa, leading to a massive wave of migration; but all this has strengthened us and led to an even higher level of cooperation between NATO and EU countries
– summed up the new Eurocorps commander.
The unique, dual nature of this corps creates opportunities to use the experience of different countries, this is the strength we draw from – noted the commander.
I want to emphasize that the family of 11 Eurocorps countries within one command share the same values
he noticed.
Eurocorps is a military rapid reaction structure, consisting of six framework countries: Germany, France, Spain, Belgium and Luxembourg – and from the beginning of 2022 also Poland – and five cooperating countries: Austria, Greece, Italy, Romania and Turkey.
The structure cooperates with NATO and the European Union, but is managed by the member states – decisions about the Eurocorps are made by the member states’ defense and foreign ministers.
The Strasbourg Command is responsible for the assignment of Allied forces to participate in crisis, humanitarian, rescue, peacekeeping and peacekeeping operations – both for the needs of the European Union and NATO. General Gromadziński is the first Pole in history to take command of the Eurocorps.
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Source: wPolityce