Yuriko Backes at the informal meeting of EU defence ministers in Brussels

On 30 January 2024, in the margins of the informal meeting of defence ministers, Yuriko Backes took part in the High-Level Symposium on Military Mobility 2024, organised jointly by the Belgian Presidency of the Council and the European Defence Agency. Yuriko Backes was a panellist at the ministerial round table on measures to support military mobility in the new security environment, alongside the Dutch Minister of Defence, Kajsa Ollongren, and the Parliamentary State Secretary at the German Ministry of Defence, Siemtje Möller.

"Military mobility is an essential component of the EU's ambition to become a reliable and credible provider of security. We need to be able to move our troops and military assets quickly and effectively when the situation demands it. Military mobility is a fundamental part of our defence capability", Yuriko Backes stressed in her speech.

Minister of Defence Yuriko Backes also had her first bilateral meeting with the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell. The discussion focused on the war in Ukraine and its consequences, and in particular the resources that the EU will continue to deploy in support of Ukraine through the European Peace Facility and/or the European Defence Agency. Another topic of discussion was the alarming security situation in the Red Sea and the EU's ongoing efforts to stabilise the situation in the region.

The following day, during the first working session at the Palais Egmont, the EU defence ministers held an exchange of views on the situation in Ukraine and discussed the priorities for EU support to Ukraine in the short, medium and long term, in particular via the EU Military Assistance Mission for Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine) and the European Peace Facility. In this context, the ministers reviewed progress on the initiative to provide military support to Ukraine through the joint procurement of 155mm ammunition. During her speech, Yuriko Backes reaffirmed that "Luxembourg will maintain its resolute support for Ukraine for as long as necessary". She added: "As we approach the 3rd year of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, it is essential that our collective support for Ukraine remains unwavering".

The EU defence ministers also discussed the European defence industry and defence readiness, as well as operational challenges in the Sahel and the Red Sea.

Press release by the Directorate of Defence