Hägglund’s appointment will be confirmed at the EU’s General Affairs Council in Luxembourg
The EU’s General Affairs Council on Monday, 9 April, 2001, is scheduled to confirm the appointment of the chairman of the EU’s military committee. The interim military body, iMB, formed by defence force commanders, had a meeting on 26 March in which they unanimously endorsed the appointment of General Gustav Hägglund.
In accordance with the decisions by the European Council in Nice, the chairman of the military committee will be selected by the commanders of the defence forces of the member countries. The Council will appoint the chairman as recommended by the commanders. Italy has stated it has no intention of questioning Hägglund’s appointment, but will provide a statement on the selection procedure.
The General Affairs Council will have an extensive discussion on the situation in the Western Balkans following the arrest of former president Slobodan Milosevic. Finland sees his arrest as a significant step towards democratisation. The Council is expected to discuss the cooperation of the Yugoslav Republic with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. Finland hopes that the arrest of Milosevic would encourage the Yugoslav government to intensify their cooperation with the Hague Tribunal.
Discussions between the ministers will also focus on the problems in South Serbia and Macedonia: a political solution to end violence should be found. Finland condemns the violence exercised by the extreme elements to achieve political goals. According to Finland, the people in the region are responsible for finding a political solution, but the EU will contribute with the means of political dialogue and financial assistance. The Council will be informed of a report by the Commission on the health effects from the use of depleted uranium. According to the research results, there is no scientific evidence of health problems.
The EU’s special representative in the Middle East, Miguel Moratinos, will report on the situation in the region. Other topics include the EU’s future, follow-up on the European Council in Stockholm, as well as renewed EU-US cooperation, particularly with reference to the EU-US summit in Gothenburg in June. The Council is expected to adopt an environmental report in connection with external relations and as part of the so called Cardiff follow-up process. Further, new guidelines for cooperation will be adopted for a long-term energy programme.
The presiding country, Sweden, and the Commission will also report on the current situation regarding the EU’s enlargement process. For Finland, enlargement is a central political priority and Finland has pledged its full support for Sweden to promote the process.