WIREDGOV

European defence and foreign ministers will converge on Amsterdam over the next three days. On 4 and 5 February EU defence ministers will meet at the National Maritime Museum to discuss European defence cooperation, while on 5 and 6 February the same venue will host an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers (the ‘Gymnich’).

Dutch-German naval cooperation

On the eve of the informal meeting of defence ministers (4 February), Dutch Minister of Defence Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert and her German counterpart Ursula von der Leyen will sign a declaration on closer naval cooperation.

Defence Action Plan and Dutch priorities

The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, will chair the informal meeting of defence ministers on 5 February. The agenda will include the European Defence Action Plan. The Netherlands, as holder of the Presidency of the Council, seeks to foster closer European military cooperation and ensure defence is given a clearly defined place in Europe’s new security strategy.

Gymnich meeting starts Friday

The Gymnich will be held on 5 and 6 February. This is the informal meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council which takes place every six months in the country that holds the Council Presidency. It will also be chaired by High Representative Federica Mogherini.
 

Joint meeting of defence and foreign ministers

The defence ministers will meet with their foreign affairs colleagues at a joint working lunch to discuss progress in the area of EU foreign and security policy. ‘This unique setup reflects the importance of effectively linking foreign and security policy,’ said the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bert Koenders. In the afternoon ministers will focus on the relationship between the EU and Iran.

Discussion on crisis response

At the joint initiative of Mr Koenders and Ms Mogherini, ministers will meet to take part in a crisis simulation exercise. A fictitious scenario will provide a basis for discussing various possible responses to an acute external threat.

Migration issues

The second day of the informal Gymnich meeting will address migration. EU ministers will join ministers from candidate countries along the route taken by migrants through the Western Balkans and Turkey, to discuss difficulties and ways they could be resolved.