The new Minister chairs the Army High Council for the first time.

The new Minister of Defence, Margarita Robles, chaired today, for the first time, the meeting of the Superior Council of the Army, at the General Staff of the Spanish Army, in Madrid.

Upon her arrival at the Buenavista Palace, where the Chief of the General Staff of the Spanish Army (JEME), General Varela, and the 2nd JEME, Lieutenant General Bernardi, were waiting for her, she received the Ordinance Honors and reviewed the formation of the 1st "Inmemorial del Rey" Regiment.

Once she finished her review, the minister greeted all the councillors, from the oldest to the most modern, as set out in the protocol, and they went to the meeting room, where the JEME and the other councillors presented the issues to be discussed.

The Army High Council is a collegiate body with advisory and consultative functions to the Minister of Defence and the Chief of General Staff which meets seven times a year. It has personnel skills, such as promotions, evaluations or training courses.

It is composed of the Chief of General Staff, all Lieutenant-Generals of the Army on active duty, the Chief of the Operational Logistics Force and a Secretary of the Council.