General Robert Brieger was confirmed by all states in the election for Chairman of the European Union Military Committee and thus takes over the chairmanship of all Chiefs of Staff of the European Union. The election took place on May 19 with all 27 EU states in Brussels.
The candidacy of General Robert Brieger was voted on in an open round with the chairmen. He will take over the chairmanship from General Claudio Graziano (Italy) for the next three years; the handover of office will take place in May 2022. The Chairman of all Chiefs of Staff of the European Union is elected every three years. General Brieger’s election makes him the second high-ranking officer in a top position in the European Union after Lieutenant General Wolfgang Wosolsobe (Director General of the Military Staff of the European Union from 2013 to 2016).
General Brieger (64) has been Chief of Staff of the Austrian Armed Forces since July 24, 2018. He began his military career in 1975 when he enlisted for military service. He attended the military academy from 1976 to 1979 and became a company commander in the 33rd Armored Battalion in 1982. From 1985 to 1988, he completed general staff training. Afterwards, he held a number of positions including Chief of Staff of the 9th Armored Infantry Brigade in Götzendorf. For twelve years, he was responsible for military strategic leadership as well as the planning and preparation of operations of the Austrian Armed Forces at home and abroad in various management positions in the Ministry of Defense. Under his leadership as group leader, the planning and preparation for the Chad mission from 2008 to 2010 took place. Brieger was significantly involved in the transformation process of the Austrian Armed Forces as well as in the development and implementation of the Armed Forces Planning ÖBH 2010. Prior to his time as Chief of Staff, he served as Chief of Staff to the Minister of Defense. General Brieger has many years of experience abroad. He completed courses at the German Armed Forces Command and Staff College, at the NATO School in Oberammergau and at the NATO Defense College in Rome. He was commander of the Austrian contingent in Kosovo in 2001 and 2002 and led 1,700 soldiers from a total of 25 nations as commander of the EUFOR force in Bosnia and Herzegovina from 2011 to 2012. “We are proud that General Robert Brieger, an Austrian, is taking over the highest military function in the European Union. His appointment is further confirmation of the excellent performance of Austrian soldiers in the international alliance of states,” said Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner.
Further information: Here is an interview with General Robert Brieger on the occasion of his inauguration as Chief of Staff of the Austrian Armed Forces, conducted by our author Georg Mader for European Security & Defense.
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