On Wednesday, February 21 2024, bilateral conversations on defence planning objects were held at the Hellenic National Defence General Staff (HNDGS) headquarters between delegations of the HNDGS and the European Defence Agency (EDA).
The activity was organized by the Directorate of Strategy – Defence Planning and Capabilities of the HNDGS. It was attended by 25 Staff Officers from the HNDGS, the 3 Branches of the Hellenic Armed Forces and the Special Warfare Command (SWC) of the HNDGS, as well as from the competent Directorates of the Ministry of National Defence. Regarding the visiting party, 6 officials from the EDA and 2 officials from the European Union Military Staff (EUMS) participated.
These discussions occurred in the light of the Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD). They focused on the identification of collaborative opportunities in which Greece could participate together with other EU member states. Furthermore, they aimed at implementing capability development projects, with emphasis on interconnection with programs of the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) and the European Defence Fund (EDF) of the EU.
Stefano Cont, EDA’s Capability, Armament and Planning Director, recalled that «…the CARD process is very helpful to better understand national defence priorities and offer support in identifying areas for possible collaboration on defence projects at European level». After the meeting, he said «…the visit to Athens was an excellent opportunity to recognise the high-level of ambition of Greece’s defence planning and strong commitment in the CARD process, as an important tool in taking forward the EU’s Strategic Compass».
Brigadier General Ioannis Keliafanos, Greece’s Head of Delegation to the meeting, noted that «Hellenic Armed Forces fully support CARD initiative and appreciate EDA’s and EUMS work done, in order to provide a realistic picture in EU defence landscape and proposing collaborative opportunities for Greece, which will enhance our national capability profile».
