On 19 October, all 22 members of the CoE as well as the EEAS as “preferred partner” came together in the Spanish Permanent Representation in Brussels to hold their seventh General Meeting (GM). It was only the second time after the founding meeting in February 2020 that all members and the EEAS came together live!

A key decision of the GM was the adoption of the request of Croatia to become the 23^rd member of the CoE as of 1 January 2024.

Director Volker Jacoby and Head of Administration Tess Dobek presented the results of the work of the CoE in 2022, and an outlook on the planning for 2024. The CoE workplan for next year was adopted unanimously.

The members also approved the procedures for the selection of the next CoE Director. The CoE statutes stipulate that the term of the Director may not exceed five years. The term of the founding Director, Dr Volker Jacoby, will end in February 2025.

The GM was followed by the Civilian CSDP Autumn Forum.