2023
EU defence ministers to hold an informal meeting in Toledo
The defence ministers of the European Union will convene for an informal meeting in Toledo, Spain on 29-30 August 2023. Janne Kuusela, Director General of the Defence Policy Department of the Ministry of Defence, will represent Finland on behalf of Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen.
The ministers will discuss Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its regional and global impacts.The agenda includes the EU’s military support to Ukraine as part of the EU’s security commitments to Ukraine, including the current situation of the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine) and the next steps. The ministers will also discuss supporting Ukraine with artillery munitions from Member States' stockpiles and through joint procurement of artillery munitions. In addition, the regulation for reinforcing the capacity of European defence industries as well as the European Peace Facility are on the agenda.
Finally, the ministers will discuss other topical issues, such as the EU's military missions and operations in Africa and the Western Balkans and the development of the EU's rapid response capabilities.
A meeting of the EU Satellite Centre (SatCen) will also be held in connection with the ministerial meeting. The SatCen meeting will focus on the consequences of the growth of the Centre's activities for its budget and staff, the Centre’s continued involvement in rapid technological development and its access to satellite image sources.
Inquiries on the informal defence ministers' meeting: Anna Hernberg, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 295 140 164 and Head of Communications Kristian Vakkuri on communications of the meeting, tel. +358 295 140 123.