The European Union's (EU) security chief Javier Solana appointed Dirk Ellinger as Chair of European Defense Agency (EDA) Steering Board.

In a statement issued here Friday, Solana as the head of the EDA made the announcement when the board meets at the level of directors of research and technology.

Ellinger is director of research and technology of the German Defense Ministry. His appointment will run until at least the middle of 2006.

The Steering Board is the decision-making body of the EDA, composed of Defense Ministers of the 24 European Union member states who are participating in the agency and the European Commission.

Solana chairs the Steering Board when it meets at ministerial level, but intends to delegate the chair for meetings at sub- ministerial level. These sub-ministerial formations include meetings of National Armaments Directors, National Defense Research Directors, National Defense Planners and Policy Directors.

"The Agency's success is a key part of a credible European external action, and we must generate that success as quickly as possible. The Steering Board is vital to guide and encourage the Agency, and to ensure the continued commitment and support of the participating Member States," Solana said.

"I am most grateful for the opportunity to take on this challenge," Ellinger was quoted as saying.

"The participating member states have high expectations for the Agency and we look forward to seeing concrete results from its work soon, but the members states have a big responsibility to support the Agency in that work," he said.

Ellinger will chair the first Steering Board in research and technology formation on April 22.

EDA was established in mid-2004. It is one of the EU's latest efforts to promote cooperation in defense affairs.

Source: Xinhua