Brussels, NATO HQ, 23 May - The Director General of the NATO International Military Staff (DGIMS), Lieutenant General Janusz Adamczak, welcomed the Director General of the European Union Military Staff (DGEUMS), Lieutenant General Michiel van der Laan, to NATO HQ, for the biannual IMS-EUMS Directors General Conference.

The day’s discussions focused on the practical ways IMS and EUMS are collaborating, including about how NATO can support the EUMS in enhancing EU military exercises, as well as on the implementation of the EU White Paper for the European Defence Readiness 2030.

The meeting came at a time when close cooperation between both international organisations becomes increasingly essential. Numerous key focus areas included Ukraine, military mobility, space, capability development, medical cooperation, digital transformation and cyber defence. Both organisations engaged to work more closely together to help strengthen defence-industrial cooperation. 

Lieutenant General Adamczak opened up the talks by highlighting that “this conference remains a crucial driver for the cooperation between our staffs and a key part of the larger effort to enhance the NATO-EU cooperation.” During his remarks, he stressed the need for unity against common security threats, stating that “our two organizations, each equipped with unique strengths and perspectives, offer a potent force multiplier in confronting these contemporary challenges.”

Following, Lieutenant General van der Laan used the floor to highlight that these biannual talks are a “testament to our enduring partnership, grounded in shared values, mutual respect, and a commitment to effective synergies in the work of both staff’s.” Both Directors agreed that the vision of EU-NATO cooperation should result in tangible outcomes, which “will enhance the security and defence of EU Members and NATO Allies,” DGEUMS said.

Both Directors General underlined the need to keep up and possibly strengthen the cooperation in support of Ukraine, drawing from additional opportunities provided by the implementation of the EU White Paper for the European Defence Readiness 2030.

After a full day of practical discussions, the two Director Generals closed out the biannual conference, with DGEUMS stating, “by leveraging the full spectrum of our capabilities, we can build a more resilient and responsive security architecture that responds quickly to imposing threats.”

On his side, DGIMS closed his last IMS-EUMS Directors General Conference, by recognizing that “we are living in a time of rapid and sometimes unpredictable changes. So, we must constantly work in a flexible manner, being ready to improve and adapt together to the new challenges.”

The next IMS-EUMS DGs Conference will be hosted by the EUMS, and is scheduled to take place on 21 November 2025.