Under the Luxembourg Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence Étienne Schneider yesterday chaired the informal meeting of Ministers of Defence, in the presence of representatives of NATO and the UN.

The meeting was co-chaired by High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini, with Étienne Schnieder presiding over the first session.

The first session began with a discussion between the Ministers of Defence of the 28 EU Member States on the results of the European Council (EC) in June 2015. The Deputy Prime Minister lead the exchange of views on the implementation of the agrees conclusions in the EC.

Ministers reportedly welcomed the ongoing efforts to develop a comprehensive strategy of the EU for foreign and security policy which is adapted to current challenges, with this capacity remaining one of the priorities of the European Union.

The Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense emphasised the need to continue to invest in EU defence, stating "We must spend better and, above all, we must do it together, by co-operating more between Member States and thereby avoiding duplication."

He continued: "In this context, there is a strng will to mobilise European funds for the service of critical capabilities and the European defense industry, including through research and new technologies".

Talks also involved consideration of the challenge faced by the EU and NATO of 'hybrid' threats, a form of military strategy involving an amalgamation of conventional and cyber - or information - warfare. Plans have been put into place to develop concrete guidelines for, and increase the resistance of, Member States against such threats by the end of 2015.

The Defence Ministers also stated that concrete advances were needed in 'Train & Equip' systems through the strengthening of the security capabilities of EU partner developing countries.

VP of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini, chaired the second working sesssion, whereby Defence Ministers were briefed on Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) operations that are currently underway, including the MED EUNAVFOR operation in place in the Mediterranean to put an end to trafficking networks in the region.

The first phase of the MED EUNAVFOR procedure involves the gathering of information on how such networks function, in preparation for their dismantling in the second phase of the operation.

Federica Mogherini reported that within a mere few weeks, 1,500 victims of human trafficking had already been saved, with  Étienne Schneider stating that the MED EUNAVFOR operation represents a concrete example of how Luxembourg contributes to the EU's military operations in the fight against the illegal smuggling of human beings.

The issue remains an important one in Europe, with a 2015 Eurostat report finding that 30,146 people were registered as victims of human trafficking in the 28 EU Member States between the years of 2010-2012. 69% were trafficked for sexual exploitation, of which 95% were female. 65% of the registered victims were EU citizens.

Luxembourg has been involved in the MED EUNAVFOR operation since 18 July 2015, by providing a maritime patrol aircraft through a partnership with Luxembourgish company 'ACE Aviation' specialising in air surveillance.

Photos by eu2015lu (Top L-R: Federica Mogherini ; Étienne Schneider. Bottom: Ministers of Defence with HRH Grand Duke of Luxembourg)