Linked with NATO Command structure and the Command and Control (C2) of the European Union’s (EU) missions, EUROCORPS still keeps its autonomy and is available for both organizations after a unanimous decision of the Framework Nations taken by the Common Committee (decisive body of EUROCORPS). Since its early creation, agreements were signed to put EUROCORPS at the disposal of both entities.
The SACEUR agreement of 21 January 1993 allows EUROCORPS to be put under NATO command when needed and regulates the information exchange and training between both partners in peacetime. The SACEUR agreement was amended in 2002, linked to EUROCORPS’ certification as High Readiness Force(HRF – Rapid Reaction Corps).
In May 1993, France and Germany made EUROCORPS available for “Petersberg” missions (crisis response operations) to the former Western European Union. At the European Summit in Köln (3 and 4 June 1999), the European Union wished to have multinational forces prepared for future military crisis management. EUROCORPS could foster closer relationship with the European Union. Additionally, the signature of a “Letter of Intent” between EUROCORPS and the European Union Military Staff (EUMS) on 18 January 2016, has demonstrated EUROCORPS’ effort towards closer ties with the European Union.
Those historical steps and the current activities of EUROCORPS underline that our Headquarters is fully available for both the European Union and NATO.