Strengthening regional cooperation and collaboration among U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) stakeholders with enhanced understanding and transparency was the focus of this year’s European Strategy Conference and Workshop (ESCW). Hosted by USEUCOM’s plans and strategy directorate, more than 400 military and civilian leaders across the European theater recently came together virtually to engage on a wide-range of topics.
"One of the many benefits of holding these meetings is to gain a better understanding of the environment we’re operating in so we may continue to generate peace across the Euro-Atlantic area,” said U.S. Air Force General Tod D. Wolters, commander, U.S. European Command in his opening remarks for the conference. “These engagements allow us to come together to discuss the activities we’re engaged in and strengthen our posture as Allies and partners.”
Addressing the COVID-19 challenges, Wolters also emphasized the importance of adhering to good discipline regarding health standards while conducting operations and exercises, and praised the work that has been done to maintain force health protection, saying “I applaud your vigilance in not allowing the pandemic to become a security concern.”
Held annually, the conference provides a venue for leaders to address various shared challenges, and how to improve interoperability.
"The discussions allow us to focus on how better to bring together planning, operations, and exercises with Allies and partners," said USEUCOM’s Director for Plans and Strategy, U.S. Army Brig Gen. Charles Miller.
Discussions throughout the two-day event centered around deterrence and defense of the Euro-Atlantic, NATO in the 21st century, and strategic planning for the year ahead. Component leadership also gave presentations on their support to USEUCOM priorities and their priorities over the next year.
More than 17 nations participated and contributed their insights to the conference.
This year's topics and discussion were especially relevant and of great importance," said Brig. Gen Janne Jaakkola, chief of plans and policy, Defence Command Finland. “The ESCW is one of the many good venues for high-level interaction where we can listen and share views about our common challenges."
Jaakkola added that while he was disappointed attendees could not come together in person, he still found the event to be important. “I believe this event has high value for us all, and Finland appreciates the excellent cooperation with USEUCOM.”
“The importance of such meetings is emphasized by the fact that it offered a good venue to discuss real issues of common interest,” said Brig Gen Eduard Simion, deputy head of defense policy, planning and international relations, Romania Ministry of Defense. “The open discussions during ESCW will allow us to work closer and share more among our militaries in critical areas where we need to do more together for security and stability,” Simion added.
Following each year’s European Strategy Conference and Workshop, USEUCOM staffs engage with Allies and partners on a regular and consistent basis, demonstrating its commitment to continued learning and turning the discussed priorities into practice.
Miller closed the event by thanking attendees for their participation and offered that the contributions made by participants in this year's strategy conference “are a true testament to the commitment by all those who came together to engage in discussions this week. We look forward to this continued dialogue as we review recommendations brought up during the conference."
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About USEUCOM
U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) is responsible for U.S. military operations across Europe, portions of Asia and the Middle East, the Arctic and Atlantic Ocean. USEUCOM is comprised of more than 64,000 military and civilian personnel and works closely with NATO Allies and partners. The command is one of two U.S. forward-deployed geographic combatant commands headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany.
