Javier SOLANA, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, in his capacity of Head of the European Defence Agency (EDA), announced today the appointment of Mr. Rob de JONG as Chairman of the National Armaments Directors Steering Board, and Lieutenant General Jean-Marc DENUEL as Chairman of the Capability Directors Steering Board.
The Steering Board is the decision-making body of the European Defence Agency, composed of senior representatives of the Ministries of Defence of the 26 EU Member States that participate in the Agency. The High Representative chairs the Steering Board when it meets at ministerial level. The Steering Board meets also in sub-ministerial formations, namely at National Armaments Directors, Capability Directors and R&T Directors level.
Rob de Jong is presently Director of Policy at the Directorate-General of Materiel of the Netherlands Ministry of Defence. He is in charge of materiel policy, the Dutch Defence Materiel Process (DMP), Major Materiel Projects and Research & Development. He has represented the Netherlands in EDA’s National Armaments Directors Steering Board since its first meeting in early 2005.
“The Agency must continue delivering first rate results and the role of the NADs Steering Board is vital. It guides the Agency’s activities on generating armaments collaborations and also plays a major role in steering work on industry & market issues” Mr Solana said. “Rob de Jong is very experienced in multinational cooperation. I have full confidence that he is the right person to ensure that these objectives will be achieved and that the NADs community continues to be fully engaged with the Agency”, he added.
The new Chairman of the Capability Directors Steering Board, Jean-Marc Denuel, is currently Chief of Staff “Plans”, Defence Headquarters, in Paris. He has a prestigious experience in planning. Previously he served as Military Chief of Staff of the French Prime Minister.
Javier Solana said he attaches “great importance to the Capabilities Steering Board as EDA is capability-driven”. He added that “Jean-Marc Denuel has the experience and qualities to lead the community of Capability Directors to deliver further results”.
Rob de Jong will chair his first NADs Steering Board on 9 October and Jean-Marc Denuel will lead the Capability Directors Steering Board on 21 October.