On 19 May 2021, Major General Schick, Commander EATC, participated to the high-level panel on “Covid-19, maintaining Europe’s military capabilities in times of a global pandemic” organised digitally by the Berlin Security Conference.
General Schick presented the challenges and lessons identified that the pandemic posed on EATC, including the operational demands, functional issues and general alignments. He concludes that the pandemic is to be seen also as a chance for a multinational organisation, such as EATC.
The Commander EATC stated that “while coping with all the challenges and recognising the high visibility of the missions, the time pressure and the permanently changing rules and regulations, the communication and cooperation between EATC and its member nations enhanced noticeably, even beyond what is already considered to be very good. As standardisation and interoperability are fundamental pillars to ensure multinational operations, the experience of this pandemic might ease the way for a more expeditious agreement to a common set of rules and procedures and a common procurement of equipment. “
The panel concluded that COVID-19 has mostly been recognized as a medical threat, but that it should be considered more as an international security and humanitarian threat. The chairman and the seven panellists ascertain that cooperative military and civilian efforts are the key to face Covid-19 or any future pandemic or crisis situation.
More information on the Berlin Security Conference
(source : www.euro-defence.eu)
The Berlin Security Conference took place on 18 and 19 May 2021. It is one of the largest European security and defence policy events. The congress and exhibition (…) draw about 1.200 participants from European and non-European countries, the European institutions, and NATO. (…) The Berlin Security Conference is a forum aimed at promoting the Common Security and Defence Policy. It focuses on issues concerning the European Parliament, the Commission and the Council as well as national parliaments and ministries. The emphasis is on proposing and discussing concrete solutions aimed at improving European and transatlantic political, operational and tactical cooperation. The goal is to develop ways to mitigate the frictions caused by insufficient capabilities, inadequate standardisation, the lack of interoperability, differences in the levels of support and national restrictions.