The Military Committee is in charge of all the Union's military
activities. It advises the Political and Security Committee (PSC),
from which it receives political directives. It is the forum for
military consultation and co-operation among the Member States
in the field of crisis management pursuant to art 17 of the TEU
(Petersberg tasks). On the basis of the political/strategic lines
established by the PSC, it is responsible for all the military
aspects of current and potential crises, carries out financial
assessments of operations and exercises, evaluates military-operation
concepts and options and monitors the latter's implementation.
It is composed of Permanent Military Representatives of the 15
member States and of the 10 Acceding States , it normally meets
every week. Twice a year, it meets at the level of Chiefs of Defence.
It is presided over for a period of 4 years by an elected Chairman,
normally a 4-star general, preferably a Member State's former
Chief of Defence. Currently, the Chairman is Finnish General Gustav
Haggland, who participates in the PSC' and attends Council meetings
when decisions with military consequences are made.
The Military Committee's work is prepared by the Military Committee
Working Group and is assisted by the European Union Military Staff
(EUMS).
