The Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces has today been appointed chair of the EU’s top military body in a first for an Irishman.
Lieutenant General Seán Clancy was elected as chairman of the European Union Military Committee (EUMC) and will take up the role in May 2025.
He will remain Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces until then.
The Chief of Staff of Óglaigh na hÉireann, Lieutenant General Seán Clancy, has today been elected as the next Chair of the EU Military Committee (EUMC) by the Chiefs of Defence of the 27 EU Member States. The EUMC is the highest military body within the European Council and is… pic.twitter.com/rM46F8ZrfV
— Óglaigh na hÉireann (@defenceforces) May 15, 2024
Lt Gen. Clancy beat out nominees from Poland and Slovenia for the chairmanship of the European Council’s highest military body.
The EUMC is composed of the Chiefs of Defence of the 27 members states, who are routinely represented by their permanent military representatives.
It is the forum for military consultation and cooperation between the EU Member States in the field of conflict prevention and crisis management.
It directs all military activities within the EU framework, in particular the planning and execution of military missions and operations under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and the development of military capabilities.
Lt Gen. Clancy will be required to offer military advice and recommendations to the Political and Security Committee of the Council.
Currently a three-star general, Lt Gen. Clancy would be promoted on a temporary basis to the rank of four-star general for the three year period of the appointment in Brussels, Belgium.