A Frenchman at the head of the EU military committee in 2012

(BRUSSELS2) The decision will have to be formally ratified by the Ministers of Defense and Foreign Affairs, meeting in Brussels on 30 November and 1 December next. But it was endorsed at the European Union Military Committee (EUMC) which was held yesterday (Tuesday). French Air Force General Patrick de Rousiers is expected to be the next President of the European Union Military Committee. Function that he will exercise from October 2012. No other country than France, nor any Chief of Staff has presented a candidacy. And the candidacy of the Frenchman seemed to impose itself on everyone.

 Currently Inspector General of the Armed Forces (since September 2010), he was above all the head of France's military representation to the EU at a key moment, that of the French presidency. And left a great memory. He also ensures France's return to NATO's integrated command, and from 2009 will combine the function of head of military representation to both the EU and NATO (France is thus putting an end to an exception in the Brussels panorama). He had also been a candidate for the European Defense Agency for a time (when France had several irons in the fire, the Ministry of Defense and Foreign Affairs presenting several candidates).

Born in 1955 in Dijon (Côte d'Or), de Rousiers followed the 1975 "Captain DUTHOIT" class of the Air Force School and was licensed as a fighter pilot in 1979. He commanded the "La Fayette" fighter squadron. de Luxeuil (1986-1988), Nancy Air Base 133 (1999). In 2002, he was Deputy Major-General of the Army Staff, head of the “General Military Studies and Strategy” office, then in 2004, head of the “Euratlantique” division. In 2006, he took command of Air Defense and Air Operations, before heading to Brussels.