DEFENCE ministries of all the European Union member countries approved the establishment of 13 small rapid deployment military units, the TASR news agency wrote.
Dutch Defence Minister Henk Kamp, whose country holds the EU presidency until the end of the year, made the announcement during negotiations in Brussels November 22.
The first unit is due to be ready next year and others in 2007. The units will consist of approximately 1,500 soldiers capable of combat within five to ten days of receiving a summons.
Slovakia will create a unit together with Germany, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia. The Slovak Deputy Defence Minister Martin Fedor signed the agreement.
Great Britain, France, Italy, and Spain will create their own units, according to TASR. All other units will consist of soldiers from several countries.
The EU units will be compatible with similar NATO units.
