XII meeting of Chiefs of Defence within the 5+5 initiative

• The Chiefs of Defence belonging to the ten countries within the 5+5 Initiative meet with the aim of enhancing military cooperation

 The Chief of Defence (JEMAD in Spanish), Air General Miguel Ángel Villarroya, attended the Chiefs of Defense's meeting for the first time, held by videoconference due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

During his address, the Chief of Defence stressed that the 5+5 Defence Initiative is an important tool for cooperation in finding common solutions to common threats. He also highlighted the cooperation of our armed forces during the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain.

The meeting was attended by significant military authorities from all the Member States (Algeria, France, Italy, Libya, Malta, Mauritania, Morocco, Portugal, Tunisia and Spain).

The meeting of the Chiefs of Defence is the forum where each country's vision of the Initiative is shared and how it should evolve in order to improve military cooperation, assuming a fundamental role in drawing up recommendations at a political level for its implementation. These have been included on the joint statement signed at the end of the meeting.

Spain's commitment to the Initiative has been evident throughout the last decade. Especially in 2020 where the role played by the Spanish Armed Forces has been particularly remarkable, despite the COVID-19 pandemic.