Chairman of the European Union Military Committee visits Australia
9 July 2012The Chairman of the European Union Military Committee (EUMC) General Hakan Syren has completed an historic visit to Australia. It is the first time an EMCU Chairman has made the trip to Australia since the committee was established 12 years ago.
The Chief of the Defence Force, General David Hurley, met with the former Swedish Armed Forces Supreme Commander in Canberra.
“During the meeting General Syren and I discussed global security challenges and Australia's ongoing defence relationship with the European Union,” General Hurley said.
“Australia and the European Union enjoy a strong bilateral relationship that includes a commitment to work cooperatively to support global efforts to combat terrorism and the proliferation of nuclear and conventional weapons.”
While in Canberra, General Syren laid a wreath at the Australian War Memorial. The EUMC Chairman also visited Headquarters Joint Operations Command and Defence facilities at Holsworthy Barracks in Sydney and toured Australia's largest naval base, HMAS Stirling during a stop over in Perth.
Defence Chiefs representing the European Union's member states form the EUMC. The Committee was established in 2000 as a result of the Helsinki Headline Goal.
Images are available at: http://images.defence.gov.au/12130033
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