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The topic of the discussions at the Riga meeting will be logistical support to EU military operations.
The ATHENA Special Committee has signed a cooperation agreement with the European Defence Agency regarding technical and administrative support for infrastructure procurement. By strengthening cooperation among the EU Member States, the Latvian Presidency of the EU Council is contributing to common European security and is continuing to ensure effective management of EU military operations.
The away days are organised by the Latvian Ministry of Defence and will be chaired by Aleksandrs Valdis Būcēns, the Chairman of the Committee.
On 27 April, Jānis Sārts, the State Secretary at the Latvian Ministry of Defence, will deliver the opening speech to those attending the away days.
The event will bring together representatives from the EU Member States and the Secretariat of the Presidency of the Council of the EU.
The ATHENA mechanism was established on 1 March 2004 by the Council of the European Union to manage the financing of common costs relating to EU military operations under the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). 27 EU Member States contribute to the financing of EU military operations, with Denmark deciding to opt out of CSDP on military matters.
Five active EU military operations currently benefit from ATHENA financing: the EU's ALTHEA military operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EUFOR ALTHEA BiH), the EU Naval Force ATALANTA (EU NAVFOR ATALANTA), the EU military training mission in Somalia (EUTM Somalia), the EU training mission in Mali (EUTM Mali) and the EU military advisory mission in the Central African Republic (EUMAM RCA).
The ATHENA Special Committee away days take place during each presidency, providing an opportunity to discuss the work of the Committee and topical issues related to the financing of EU military missions in an informal atmosphere.
