The EUMC is under the authority of the EU's High Representative (HR) and the Political and Security Committee (PSC).

It is one of several defence and security-related bodies established as a result of the Helsinki Headline Goal, which was decided in December 1999.

The EUMC gives military advice to the EU's High Representative (HR) and Political and Security Committee (PSC).

The EU command and control (C2) structure is directed by political bodies composed of member states' representatives, and generally requires unanimous decisions.

He participates in PSC meetings as appropriate, he is the military adviser to the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR) who heads the EEAS European External Action Service, he represents the primary point of contact with the Operation Commanders of the EU's military operations, and he attends Council meetings with defence and security implications.