Im Gespräch: Ton van Osch
Generalleutnant Ton van Osch war seit 2010 Generaldirektor des EU-Militärstabes. Im Interview mit TRUPPENDIENST spricht er über die Aufgaben des Militärstabes und über die Erfolge des Comprehensive Approach.
TRUPPENDIENST (TD): What is the task of the military staff?
Generalleutnant Ton van Osch (O): Firstly let me congratulate General Wosolsobe on his new job. In the military we take a comprehensive approach. We cannot solve problems in a crisis with the military alone but with the help of many other players. There are different ways in which the EU can have a positive influence on a crisis, but it is often the case that outside players also play an important role, with excellent results. The Horn of Africa is a good example, where the EU crisis management is effective. We cannot fight against piracy at sea alone and to solve this problem. We need a solution on land. Somalia needs a better government, an improvement in the police and law and order system to deal with the crisis. These functions are currently being fulfilled by the EU. What does the Military Staff do in this context?
For 30 000 civilians in different organisations within the EU the military consisting of 200 people are responsible for the support of the EU Military Committee. The Chiefs of Defence are focusing on current and future operational requirements. The EUMS is responsible for the military planning, advising and support of the military committee as well as civilian activities which are supported by the military. What is also important to understand is that we are part of the EEAS. Lady Catherine Ashton, my boss, has the responsibility of co-ordinating all external actions. In this regard I obey directions from her and of the Chiefs of Defence via EUMC who deliver military capabilities, create comprehensive plans and consider operational requirements in crisis management.
TD: What is the difference to NATO?
O: The big difference is that the Military Staff is responsible for creating favourable circumstances in which the military commanders can perform their duties in external service and synchronise civilian actions. The military approach in NATO is based on the military power. Lady Catherine Ashton and her diplomacy are based on delegations, the military, the civilian mission on law and order, on financial and development co-operation. She co-ordinates many different approaches in order to find a common solution.
TD: What was your highlight in your job as DG?
O: When I started here we did not have a Comprehensive Approach.and Now the EU is incorporating this. For example: the mandate for the mission EUNAVFOR "Atalanta" is more effective than a single military approach. We are able to arrest pirates and hand them over to the local authority due to the new proper prison system which complies to our norms. Directorate General E from the European Council is responsible for humanitarian action and my colleagues and I are in constant contact with them. The EU, unlike NATO has this system of close co-ordination. Another example is that the EU is allowed to take action on land while NATO is not. Other examples include the visible operations in Somalia and Mali which have proved very successful. The EU trains about 3 000 soldiers, who have created secure areas in the south of Somalia. Less visible examples for many people include the military support for humanitarian assistance in Pakistan during the flood, the support of the refugees in Tunisia and the evacuation of about 4 400 EU civilians from the ground in Libya.
This highlights the operational side of the military. The other responsibility is to work on the future military capability. One of these items is pooling & sharing. In Europe we have a lower budget than before. The need to work together and become more efficient is very important and with the support within the EU military from EUMS we have often succeeded.
TD: What is your expectation of the CSDP in future?
O: After two years of EAS with the military within the EU we see much more evidence of this good co-operation. It was rewarding to see the positive effects on the first crisis management operation where we began implementing the Comprehensive Approach; in the Horn of Africa and currently in the Sahel in Mali as well. I think my successor will be very busy both with the military planning on a high strategic level here in Brussels for both current and future operations. He will also play an important role in military diplomacy, mainly due to the pressure from the Ministers of Defence to become more efficient in international cooperation.
TD: Do you have a message to your successor?
O: Enjoy yourself because it’s a nice job but also realise that yourself and your staff will be very busy. Two points: Firstly, the instability around Europe is increasing and budgets have been decreased and might further decrease. Secondly, the demand on efficiency is also increasing.
The EU military has to cope with all this within our Comprehensive Approach. The EU military is a business where a high demand exists and we have to be capable in our approach. We may not constantly rely on the United States for aid who have to focus on other areas like the Pacific.
General Wosolsobe will have many duties and responsibilities in his new position. I would like to thank Austria for the investment as well as what it has done and continues to do for the EU-Security Policy.