EU names Larisa HQ chief

Major General Philippe Ponties is well known to French journalists as he has served as number two in the communications and information bureau of the French defense ministry DICOD (Direction de l’Information et de la Communication de la Defense). He has has a large amount of experience having participated in operations “Manta” (Chad 1993), MONUG (Georgia 1995-1996), and “Trident” (Kossovo 2001-2002). He entered service on 1 September 1979 by enrolling at the famed Saint Cyr military academy from which he graduated as a signal corps lieutenant with the 1981 “General Lasalle” class

After finishing communications school in 1982 he chose a posting with 14th Parachute Regiment at Toulouse. He made captain in 1986 and afterward successfully completed the two-year Joint Staff College, after which he commanded the Saint Cyr Academy's 4th Student Battalion. In 1988, he returned to the 14th Parachute Regiment, commanding the 14th Signals Company.

In the summer of 1990 he was placed in the staff of the 5th Armored Division stationed in Landau, Germany, as head of its Operations Bureau. He was promoted to major and finished the Higher War College in 1992. Between 1997 and 200 he commanded a battalion of cadets at the Saint Cyr Academy and between September 2000 and June 2002 he commanded the 48th Signals regiment, participating in the Kossovo mission.

On 1 October 2001 he was promoted to colonel undertaking a series of positions including at the communications and information bureau of the French defense ministry and the French Army personnel bureau. In April 2011 he was promoted to Major General, and on 1 January 2013 was given command of “Force No 3” at Marseilles .

The Greek chief of staff of EUFOR RCA, Christos Drivas graduated from Greek Military Academy (Scholi Evelpidon) in 1984 as an infantry lieutenant. Before this posting he had a key post in a sensitive bureau of the Hellenic Armed Forces General Staff. He has an excellent command of the French language and has completed the French Higher War College.

The EU decision came in the wake of the European Council's approval of a crisis management concept for a military operation under the EU's Common Security and Defense Policy.

The operation in CAR is to contribute, for up to six months, to a safe and secure environment in the Bangui area, with a view to handing over to the African Union.

"In doing so, the force would support international efforts to protect the populations most at risk and the free movement of civilians. Preparations for EUFOR RCA are under way, following fast-track procedures," the European Council press release said.