Paris, 16 May 2001.- The Head of the EU Military Staff, General R. SCHUWIRTH, addressed the Colloquy on European Security organised by the WEU Assembly in Berlin on 3 May 2001. General SCHUWIRTH who has been Director General of the EU Military Staff only since March this year, appeared before the Parliamentarians for the first time in his new capacity. He gave a comprehensive overview on the current build up of the European rapid reaction force that will be operational for Petersberg task missions by 2003.
 
General SCHUWIRTH said that the military planning structures in the EU were close to becoming operational and that the force contributions of the EU member countries for the future crisis management force show the full commitment of the Europeans. He affirmed that the EU countries have capable forces as was demonstrated by their participation in SFOR and KFOR. He announced a first workshop to test the crisis management procedures of the EU Military Staff to take place at the end of May. 
 
The President of the Assembly, Mr. Klaus BÜHLER, MdB, who held an extensive exchange of views with General SCHUWIRTH on the same occasion, extended the Assembly’s good wishes for the work of the Director General and his staff.