Brussels, 13 June 2005 (14.06)(OR. fr,en)
COSDP 395PESC 514CIVCOM 155
from : Council
to : European Council
Subject : Presidency report on the ESDP
Delegations will find attached the Presidency report on the ESDP, as approved by the Council at its meeting on 13 June 2005.
________________________
ANNEX
PRESIDENCY REPORT ON THE ESDP
1. In line with the mandate defined by the European Council in Brussels in December 2004, the Presidency hereby submits this report on ESDP.
2. In presenting this report, the Presidency has noted that Denmark has drawn attention to Protocol No 5 on the position of Denmark, which is annexed to the Amsterdam Treaty.
I. EU operations
– Current operations
3. The European Union force deployed in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the framework of the ALTHEA military operation continued its activities on the ground in accordance with its mandate, contributing to the maintenance of a stable and secure environment and supporting the High Representative's Mission Implementation Plan, the fight against organised crime and the Stabilisation and Association Process (SAP). Coordination with NATO headquarters in Sarajevo was efficient.
The reserves training exercise, which took place in the spring, provided an opportunity to deploy elements of the strategic reserve and to use tactical reserves. It helped strengthen the credibility of the force, and its reputation for effectiveness and determination.
Coordination between the force's activities and the activities of other European Union players in Bosnia and Herzegovina was ensured largely by the European Union Special Representative, thereby strengthening the European Union's coordination and internal cohesion in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This allowed an integrated approach, and improved the effectiveness of the European Union's action to support the objectives laid down in the High Representative's mission implementation plan (MIP).
The European Union continued to act in concert with the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Operation ALTHEA is contributing to the achievement of the EU's long term objective of a stable, viable, peaceful and multi-ethnic Bosnia and Herzegovina, cooperating peacefully with its neighbours and irreversibly on track in its European perspective.
The analysis of lessons learned from the planning phase of the operation has been carried out.
The first six?monthly review of the mission was completed with the Council's approval of the SG/HR' s report. This report recommends that the tasks and mandate of the force should be maintained for the coming six months, and that no significant changes should be made to its size and organisation.
4. During the first half of 2005, the EU Police Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (EUPM) continued to implement its mandate to improve in particular the administrative management capabilities of the police of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In doing so, the EUPM maintained the principle of the "co?localisation" of its personnel with the police chain of command, so that it could advise and monitor the local police and evaluate its performance. The principal
objective of the implementation of EUPM projects and programmes was to enable Bosnia and Herzegovina to increase its own policing resources. The EUPM's priorities related to the fight against organised crime, by facilitating the establishment of the SIPA (State Investigation and Protection Agency) and supporting the process of restructuring police bodies. The EUPM also had the aim of raising the awareness of the local authorities and the public of the need for reliable and effective police. The EUPM launched a large-scale campaign to inform the population of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
5. On the basis of the success of its first 12 months in operation, EUPOL PROXIMA in FYROM has focused its activities on the most urgent operational needs in the framework of three programmes: maintaining order, organised crime and the border police. The mission has widened the geographical scope of its responsibilities at national level, while maintaining a stronger presence in the former areas of crisis.
Under the authority of the European Union Special Representative in Skopje, and in partnership with the host Government authorities, PROXIMA police experts continued to supervise, monitor and advise the country's police, focusing on middle and senior?ranking officers.
The mission assisted the FYROM authorities in developing and applying directives from senior police authorities, based on the best international standards, throughout the country. Those directives relate particularly to criminal investigations and the border police.
6. The aim of the EUJUST THEMIS mission in Georgia is to help the Georgian authorities to draw up and to monitor the implementation of a strategy to reform the criminal justice system and to bring it closer to the best international and European standards. In May 2005, the Georgian Government approved the reform strategy, which enabled the mission to enter its third and final phase of operations. This phase consists of monitoring the beginning of the implementation of the reform strategy. The two previous phases of the operation related to analysis of the criminal justice system and to providing advice on drawing up the strategy for reform. Given the expiry of the mandate of EUJUST THEMIS on 15 July 2005, the European Union will ensure that the Georgian authorities continue to benefit from appropriate long-term aid in the area of the rule of law, including initiatives via the EUSR office, by the European Commission and by the Member States.
7. EUPOL Kinshasa, which is the first civilian crisis management mission in Africa, was officially launched on 12 April 2005. Consisting of 29 people, this ESDP operation is to supervise, monitor and advise the Integrated Police Unit (IPU) in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The task of the IPU is to provide protection for the institutions and main transitional Government authorities, and to assist in public security in the capital during the general elections which are to take place in the DRC. The IPU will replace the MONUC "neutral force" which has ensured security in Kinshasa up to now.
8. The EU has created a mission to provide advice and assistance for security sector reform in the DRC, known as EUSEC DR Congo, with a view to contributing to successful integration of the army in the DRC.
The mission is to provide advice and assistance to the competent Congolese authorities in security matters, taking care to promote policies compatible with human rights and international humanitarian law, democratic norms and the principles of good governance, transparency and respect for the rule of law. This advice and assistance mission, to be launched on 8 June 2005, will be able to identify, and contribute to the preparation of, projects and options which the EU and its Member States will be able to decide to support, particularly as regards the establishment and operation of intermixing centres bringing together combatants from the former armed factions.
9. The Council decided on 21 February 2005 to launch an Integrated Rule of Law mission for Iraq, EUJUST LEX. The objective of the mission is to address the urgent needs in the Iraqi criminal justice system through providing training for high and middle?ranking officials in the areas of management and criminal investigation. The mission will also promote closer cooperation between the different players across the Iraqi criminal justice system, strengthen the management capability of senior officials primarily from the police, judiciary and penal system, and improve skills and procedures in criminal investigation in the context of full respect for the rule of law and human rights. The operational phase will begin on 1 July at the latest. The mission aims to train about 770 people and to cover a twelve?month period up to 30 June 2006. The Council agreed that the training activities would take place in the EU or in the region and that the mission should have a Liaison Office in Baghdad. Depending on how the security situation in Iraq develops, and depending on the availability of adequate infrastructure, the Council will be asked to consider the possibility of training within Iraq.
- Other activities and possible missions in prospect
10. The EU has decided to provide overall substantial support for the African Union mission in Sudan (AMIS). Practical arrangements for this support are being examined by the competent Council bodies and are being discussed with the African Union.
11. An EU support office for the Palestinian Police (EU COPPS) has been set up within the framework of the office of the EU Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process. There was an exchange of letters in April 2005 between the Palestinian Prime Minister and the EUSR. The approach is designed to support the Palestinian authority in developing a modern, efficient, responsible police force, providing support for operational priorities and long?term reform.
12. Following a request from the Georgian authorities for EU support in the follow?up to the OSCE border monitoring mission, the EU Special Representative for the Caucasus held consultations with the Georgian authorities in January 2005 and a fact?finding mission took place in February 2005. An increase in the size of the EUSR office in Tbilisi will make it possible to support the necessary institutional reforms and contribute to improving communications between Tbilisi and the border.
13. The EU has begun examining the possibility of support for the Crisis Management Initiative in relation to the peace process in Aceh.
14. The EU has also begun preparations for responding to the African Union request for a putative African Union mission in Somalia.
– Standards of behaviour for operations
15. In order to ensure that all categories of personnel involved in ESDP operations comply with the highest standards of behaviour, a document has been drafted on generic standards of behaviour, which the Council has noted. The document is based on provisions already in force and applied to current ESDP operations. It could be adapted, particularly on the basis of lessons learned from ESDP operations, and taking account of work underway at the United Nations and in other international organisations. This document will be used when planning future ESDP operations.
The Council considers that these standards of behaviour should also be applied, as appropriate, to personnel involved in other types of EU presence in areas of operations, in order to ensure consistency in the EU's approach. The relevant Council bodies have also been encouraged to carry out further work in areas related to standards of behaviour and in the implementation of other specific aspects of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security.
- Model Agreement on the status of forces
16. The Model Agreement on the status of forces for EU?led military crisis management operations has been approved. The Council has authorised the Presidency, assisted by the SG/HR, to commit itself on this basis, in future operations of this type, to negotiations with third States to conclude agreements on the status of forces (SOFA) under EU direction. This model agreement contributes to efforts to improve the EU's rapid reaction capabilities, by accelerating the conclusion of specific agreements on the status of forces for each operation.
To complete the picture, work has begun on drafting a model agreement on the status of civilian missions (SOMA).
II. Development of European military capabilities
17. Work has continued on establishing EU Battlegroups which are part of the rapid response capability. A Battlegroups Coordination Conference was held on 11 May 2005. It noted that the commitments made by the Member States will enable the objective set for the initial period of operational capability for 2005 and 2006 to be met: one Battlegroup permanently available. For the first two years of full operational capability, 2007 and 2008, commitments by the Member States, including a third State in accordance with the Council conclusions of 22 November 2004, will make it possible to have two Battlegroups permanently available, except in the second half of 2007, for which the second contribution needed is still awaited. Member States have been encouraged to remedy the situation. Preliminary indications were provided on the availability of Battlegroups for the period beyond 2008. These initial offers are to be confirmed at forthcoming Battlegroups Coordination Conferences.
Conceptual work on Battlegroups continued. In particular, the standards and criteria for Battlegroups were agreed. They will apply with effect from 1 January 2007, when the phase of full operational capability begins. Initial considerations on the question of command and control of Battlegroups have been developed, and work is continuing on training and certification, on logistics and on strategic mobility.
The acceleration of the decision-making and planning process for EU rapid response operations was the subject of a report by the SG/HR, which proposed measures to meet the level of ambition defined by the Council, namely to conduct this process within five days from approval of the crisis management concept by the Council to the decision to launch the operation, in particular for operations involving Battlegroups. On the basis of this report, the Political and Security Committee drew up recommendations which have been approved by the Council.
The amendment of the ATHENA mechanism by Council Decision of 24 January 2005 has also allowed EU tools to be adapted to crisis rapid response requirements.
18. In the context of implementation of the 2010 Headline Goal, the Council approved a Requirements Catalogue incorporating the results of the technical work done to date and elements of the iterative process between the EU Military Committee and the Political and Security Committee. The Catalogue will be the basis for future work. It contains considerations regarding strategic planning hypotheses, the five illustrative scenarios and an initial list of the capabilities required to meet the aims set in the 2010 Headline Goal. The Council will approve the final 2005 Requirements Catalogue once the operational analysis has been applied and its results have been approved.
19. Development of a new questionnaire on the Headline Goal has begun, including the use of NATO software which is being adapted to the European Union's specific needs. At the same time, work has begun on the development of an information collection system and an operational analysis instrument for the EU's needs. Work will be carried out in compliance with the EU capability development mechanism and must involve examining the options and ensuring that these tools provide the best possible response to specific EU requirements.
20. Evaluation of the European Capability Action Plan (ECAP) was completed, and the role of the Headline Goal Task Force (HTF) was evaluated in this context. The Council approved the ECAP evaluation report drawn up by the EU Military Committee and the European Defence Agency. The report contains a detailed review of the Project Groups set up under the ECAP, thereby enabling their work to be refocused in the light of the new 2010 Headline Goal. Consequently, most of the Project Groups will migrate to a new, more integrated process associated with the functions and tasks of the European Defence Agency as defined in the Joint Action of 12 July 2004 on the establishment of the Agency, which include coordinating the implementation of the ECAP and any successor plan. The refocusing of the Project Groups is an important element in remedying the shortfalls remaining in the area of military capabilities in relation to the Helsinki Headline Goal. In this respect, the Single Progress Report which the Council took note of, evaluated progress on the development of capabilities and helped determine what work remains to be done. An updated Capability Improvement Chart has been drawn up, to keep the public and media informed.
21. Work on the global approach on deployability continued. The aim is to improve the ability of the EU to deploy forces, in particular with respect to strategic transport – a key enabler for rapid response – by primarily focusing on more effective use of all available means for transport coordination, the idea being to create effective links between the Coordination Centres/Cells.
22. The Presidency presented a non?paper on the maritime dimension of the 2010 Headline Goal including a proposed road map. The purpose of this non?paper was to initiate a process to define the terms of reference and methodology of a study designed to improve information on the Member States' maritime requirements and forces.
III. European Defence Agency
23. Since the beginning of the year, the European Defence Agency (EDA) has been fully engaged in implementing its 2005 work programme. The recruitment process is almost complete, and the Agency is about to move into its own building.
24. The Steering Board has met at Minister for Defence level, as well as in the planned special configurations at the level of research and technology directors and armaments directors, pending the first meeting to be held on 21 June 2005 at the level of defence capabilities managers, together providing the impetus needed for the Agency's work. As planned, the head of the Agency submitted a report on the EDA's activities to the Council in May.
25. The EDA has started work on four flagship projects in its four areas of operation: C3 (command, control and communications) in the area of capabilities; combat armoured vehicles in the armaments area; the European defence equipment market, in liaison with the European Commission, for the area of industry and the market; and drones for the research and technology area.
The Council received with satisfaction the action plan adopted by the Steering Board of the Agency on the creation of a European defence equipment market. It asked the Agency to implement the plan swiftly, in particular as regards the voluntary arms acquisition regime.
26. The Steering Board approved a transition plan in connection with the closure of the Western European Armaments Group, and with a view to the gradual transfer of the research and technology responsibilities of the Western European Armaments Organisation, and of its research cell (with respective contracts) in the first quarter of 2006.
27. The development of working relationships has been initiated with the Letter of Intent (L.o.I), the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR), NATO, the defence industry and academic institutions, in accordance with the Common Position and the Agency's work programme for 2005.
23. The Agency's first contract was concluded with NATO's Agency NC3A, for an operational analysis contributing to work carried out by the European Union Military Staff on the 2005 Requirements Catalogue. It is a contract on technical assistance for the EU.
IV. Development of European Civilian Capabilities
29. In accordance with Civilian Headline Goal 2008 adopted by the European Council in December 2004, the EU has started a process of strategic planning of its civilian capabilities. The first phase, concluded as planned in April 2005, involved the drawing up of "planning assumptions" and "illustrative scenarios" concerning stabilisation and reconstruction (including substitution missions), conflict prevention (particularly monitoring missions and support for EUSR offices), the targeted strengthening of institutions, and civilian support for humanitarian operations.
30. This process is being managed in close cooperation with that being run by the EU Military Staff as regards the 2010 Headline Goal. Above all, despite the difference in the timetables for the two processes, compatibility must be ensured in civilian/military scenarios, including time limits for intervention and the terminology used. The EU is also taking care to ensure that, where appropriate, there is consistency with the action of other players with whom the EU intends to cooperate at international level in the area of civilian crisis management.
31. Also in the context of the 2008 Civilian Headline Goal, work has begun on the rapid deployment of civilian crisis management capabilities, including the concept of "civilian crisis reaction teams". Following discussions on this subject in Luxembourg in February and in mid?April in Stockholm, the General Secretariat of the Council presented a conceptual document at the end of May 2005.
In parallel, the Commission and the General Secretariat of the Council have cooperated on developing optimum synergy between work on rapid deployment of civilian crisis management capabilities and the Commission plan to establish identification and planning teams within the Community civil protection mechanism.
32. The Police Unit, together with experts from the Member States, has developed a concept of rapid deployment of police personnel in an EU?led substitution mission. The concept would make it possible to develop interoperability of European police, not just for rapid deployment but also for their coordination and for the establishment of headquarters for a police mission in a substitution context.
33. In the framework of follow-up to the Action Plan for Civilian Aspects of ESDP of June 2004, a conference was organised by the Presidency in Brussels on 23 and 24 March 2005 with representatives of NGOs and of civil society, to consider, as part of a conflict prevention approach, possible areas for cooperation between the EU and civil society in crisis management, including in conflict zones, and to address questions of training those involved in crisis management and the links between development cooperation and security.
34. A seminar was organised in Warsaw in March on civilian capabilities development at national level, to analyse the problems of recruiting civilian experts, particularly senior legal and financial staff, as well as coordination and the division of responsibilities between different ministries/government agencies.
V. Civilian/military cell
35. In accordance with the conclusions of the European Councils in December 2003, June 2004 and December 2004, work to implement the Civilian/Military Cell and the operations centre has been actively pursued. The Cell was prepared for by an establishment team and began work on 23 May 2005. The terms of reference and organisation of the EU Military Staff have been amended to take account of the creation of the civilian/military cell and of the new tasks entrusted to the European Union Military Staff (EUMS).
36. The EU is awaiting responses to its proposals regarding the EU Cell's mandate in SHAPE and the NATO liaison team in the EUMS.
VI. EU-NATO relations
37. The EU and NATO continued to cooperate within the framework of their strategic partnership for crisis management and their permanent relationship. In the context of the "Berlin Plus" arrangements, exchanges of information and consultations took place on the implementation of the ALTHEA operation led by the EU in Bosnia and Herzegovina using NATO's collective resources and capabilities, and on the activities of the NATO headquarters in Sarajevo.
38. The EU/NATO Capability Group met periodically for exchanges of views and information to ensure the consistent and mutually enhancing development of military capabilities within the EU and NATO where requirements overlap, including between the EU's Battlegroups and the NATO Reaction Force (NRF). All EU Member States were kept informed about these issues.
VII. Cooperation with international organisations
39. Implementation continued of the agreed texts on relations with the United Nations as regards military and civilian crisis management. Regular contacts took place between the services concerned in the context of the joint consultative mechanism established following the joint declaration by the EU and the United Nations on 24 September 2003. Progress was made in relations between the EU and the United Nations, and is expected particularly in cooperation on the ground between EUPOL Kinshasa and MONUC.
40. An EU Exercise Study was carried out with the participation of the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations. The operational conclusions will be implemented through the EU-UN steering committee and monitored by the Political and Security Committee. This work is intended to define the practical arrangements for the transition between an EU operation and a United Nations operation, and to analyse in more detail the nature of and arrangements for the relationship to be established between the two secretariats, both in normal circumstances and in a crisis.
41. Cooperation continued with the OSCE and the Council of Europe.
42. Cooperation also intensified with the African Union and the African subregional organisations.
VIII. Cooperation with third countries
43. As authorised by the Council in February 2004, the Presidency continued the negotiations which had begun with third countries, with a view to concluding agreements establishing a framework for their participation in EU crisis management operations. Negotiations with Bulgaria and Ukraine were completed.
44. In the framework of the strategic partnership with the Russian Federation, a joint Road Map for the Common Space on External Security, one of the four EU?Russia common spaces, was agreed on 10 May. This Road Map contains provisions designed to increase EU?Russia dialogue and cooperation in the crisis management area within the agreed framework in order to face regional and global challenges more effectively.
IX. Dialogue and cooperation with Mediterranean partners in the field of crisis management
45. A EuroMed Senior Officials meeting on ESDP, co?chaired by the Chairman of the Political and Security Committee, was held on 11 April 2005. This meeting provided an opportunity to address recent developments in the ESDP, and to confirm the interest of the Mediterranean partners in these questions. There was also a first exchange of views on a concrete proposal by the European Union to strengthen its cooperation with the Mediterranean countries in security and defence matters, and to give it more visibility by implementing an annual action plan. A fruitful contribution on the possibilities for cooperation in practice was also made by the Institute for Security Studies in its report on the seminar on 10 May devoted to prospects for dialogue on security and defence matters under the Barcelona Process.
X. ESDP and Africa
46. The Action Plan for ESDP support to Peace and Security in Africa aims to support African organisations and States in building autonomous conflict prevention and management capacities, with special attention to the African Union, within the framework of overall EU policy on Africa. In this context, following a field mission in Addis Ababa by the
Politico?Military Working Party, the Political and Security Committee examined operational recommendations to strengthen EU relations with the African Union in the area of peace and security in Africa. These recommendations could be proposed for examination by the African Union's Peace and Security Council.
Implementation of the Action Plan for ESDP support to Peace and Security in Africa took shape in particular with preparations for handing over relevant EU documents to the African organisations.
47. Dialogue between the EU and the African Union (AU), African sub-regional organisations and African States on the potential role of the ESDP in contributing to peace and security in Africa is continuing. The Chairman of the AU Commission, Alpha Oumar Konaré, and the Commissioner for Peace and Security, Said Djinnit, held exchanges of views with the Political and Security Committee on strengthening links between the EU and the AU and on the situation in Darfur.
48. The EU continued to provide active support for the African Union and for the international community's activities in Darfur, in particular by acting as vice?chair of the Ceasefire Commission and by supporting the political process and the African Union mission in Sudan (AMIS). In practical terms, this support took the form of making experts available to help the AU set up and manage the AMIS operation, and the granting of funding through the Peace Facility. An evaluation with which the EU was associated led the AU to decide to reinforce AMIS. EU assistance was requested in planning and putting in place this increased AU presence in Darfur.
At the donors' conference held on 26 May in Addis Ababa, the EU presented a comprehensive and substantial offer including military and civilian elements, particularly police. The relevant Council bodies have already begun looking into the various forms that such support could take, with particular regard to planning, logistics, equipment, strategic and tactical airlift, development of the AU's observation capabilities and training. Consultations have taken place with other players in the international community, particularly the United Nations, NATO, the United States and Canada, who contribute to supporting the AU mission in Sudan.
XI. ESDP and the fight against terrorism
49. On 23 May 2005 the Council endorsed the first report on the implementation of the Conceptual Framework on the ESDP dimension of the fight against terrorism. This report is a living document that will have to be updated regularly. It takes stock of implementation of action points and makes concrete recommendations to be implemented as soon as possible for each action point in the Conceptual Framework.
50. Implementation of the Conceptual Framework covers a vast spectrum of capability and operational sectors, including management of the consequences of a terrorist attack. Amongst the most innovative sectors agreed in the implementation report on the Conceptual Framework, the following might be mentioned: interoperability between military and civilian assets, including civil protection assets; extension of the military database to all natural and man-made disasters; protection in the framework of crisis management operations. Without prejudice to the final decision, work is underway on the proposal to create an NRBC Centre of Competence.
51. Consistency between ESDP activities and other EU instruments is essential and must be promoted to ensure a comprehensive EU response to the multidimensional terrorist threat. The General Secretariat of the Council and the Presidency will provide the interface between all the committees and working parties concerned. The Commission will be involved, within its areas of competence.
52. On 7 March 2005, on the basis of a mandate in the Conceptual Framework, the European Union Institute for Security Studies organised a seminar on the contribution of the ESDP to the fight against terrorism, which allowed areas for further study in this important area to be identified. The seminar also provided an opportunity for more thorough dialogue with the United States on this issue.
XII. EU training in the field of ESDP
53. The concept of EU training in the field of ESDP was successfully implemented. Courses were organised in the EU Training Programme in ESDP for the years 2005 to 2007. The pilot course – a high-level ESDP course – of the future European Security and Defence College ended in March, and an orientation course on the ESDP was organised in Brussels from 28 February to 4 March. On that basis, a final report on training in the ESDP area and an analysis of requirements in this area have been drawn up and approved by the Political and Security Committee. Thus the arrangements for the functioning of the European Security and Defence College have been defined. The necessary conditions to establish the College have been fulfilled in preparation for the 2005/2006 academic year.
Training activities in the area of civilian crisis management are also being conducted under the auspices of the Commission.
XIII. Crisis management exercises
54. The United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations was involved in the preparation and running of an Exercise Study (EST 05) on 14 and 15 April 2005, which provided an opportunity to analyse in more detail the question of the transition between an EU operation and a UN operation. The scenario called for the robust and rapid deployment of EU military capabilities under the political control and strategic direction of the EU, in support of the United Nations and following its request. The scenario also covered civilian crisis management, with a UN police operation being followed by an EU operation.
55. Preparatory work took place for the EU-Mediterranean Partners Crisis Management Seminar which will take place in Athens from 27 to 29 June 2005. Its proceedings will provide material for subsequent common consideration of the paths to be followed in this area.
56. The EU Exercise Programme for the period 2006?2010 was approved, and preparation began for the CME 06 exercise.
XIV. Role of space applications in the ESDP framework
57. In order to ensure that security and defence aspects are taken into account in the European space programme, inter?pillar exchanges of information took place. An initial road map was established for the effective implementation of the stages identified in the document on European space policy entitled "ESDP and Space" approved by the Council in November 2004.
XV. Action Plan adopted following the earthquake and tsunami in the Indian Ocean
58. Following the Action Plan adopted by the Council on 31 January 2005, after the earthquake and tsunami in the Indian Ocean, the Council and its competent bodies examined proposals to strengthen the EU's rapid response capability. In a report to the Council in April, the SG/HR made a number of proposals concerning the mobilisation and use of military resources and consular cooperation in the event of natural or man?made disasters. The May Council surveyed the implementation of the Action Plan on the basis of a note from the Presidency.
XVI. Mandate for the incoming Presidency
On the basis of the present report and taking into account the European Security Strategy, the incoming Presidency, assisted by the Secretary-General/High Representative and in association with the Commission, is invited to continue work on developing the European Security and Defence Policy, and in particular:
to continue the successful development of an active ESDP, and in particular:
– to continue to ensure the effective management of Operation Althea, and review the operation taking account of both the wider EU presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the expected evolution of the international community's involvement;
– to continue effective management of the EU Police Mission in Bosnia, review the operation and prepare recommendations on its future taking into account the wider EU presence;
– to continue effective management of the EU Police Mission in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, review the operation and prepare recommendations on follow?up;
– to continue effective management of the EU policing mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, to review the mission and to prepare recommendations on its future;
– to ensure effective management of the security sector reform mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (EUSEC DRC); review the mission, taking account of proposals from the head of mission on further possible assistance;
– to ensure effective management of and review the Integrated Rule of Law Mission for Iraq;
– to consider the future of the EU Coordination Office for Palestinian Police Support, presently in the office of the EUSR;
– to provide further EU support for the AU operation in Darfur in consultation with other international actors;
– to further work to ensure the sustainability of the achievements of the Rule of Law Mission in Georgia and prepare a lessons learned exercise;
– to implement effectively any other operations that the Council may decide;
to continue work on making ESDP more capable, and in particular:
– to finalise the military Requirements Catalogue 2005 following detailed computer?assisted Operational Analysis of the military assets necessary for the EU to undertake the full range of crisis management operations;
– to finalise the Headline Goal Questionnaire 2005 in preparation for the process of identifying the national contributions necessary to meet these requirements;
– to take forward the study into how best to meet the EU's future requirements for information gathering and computer-assisted operational analysis;
– to take forward work on the EU Battlegroups initiative (as part of Rapid Response elements) on the basis of the agreed Roadmap;
– to take forward work on the Global Approach on Deployability;
– to continue work on the actions identified in the Conceptual Framework on ESDP and Terrorism and the recommendations of the report on its implementation;
– to define the terms of reference and methodology for a study into the maritime dimension of ESDP in the context of the Headline Goal 2010;
– to continue work on the establishment of the civ/mil cell, including its capacity to rapidly generate, when needed, an operations centre for particular autonomous operations;
– to reach agreement on a three-year financial framework for the EDA, within which the budget and the work programme for 2006 can be set;
– to finalise a Civilian Capabilities Requirements List; to issue a call for national contributions against this list; and to agree a capability improvement plan at a Civilian Capabilities Improvement Conference. In this context, to take forward work on rapid deployment, notably Civilian Response Teams;
– to take forward work on improving procedures for the procurement of equipment for civilian crisis management operations;
– to continue the implementation of the European Programme for the Prevention of Violent conflict;
to continue work on improving the coherence of EU efforts, through enhancing its ability to undertake joint civil-military operations, in particular:
– to take forward work to improve civ/mil coordination, focusing in particular on a framework to support comprehensive planning for EU operations with civilian and military elements;
– to take forward, in accordance with the action plan adopted by the Council on 31 January 2005, work on improving ESDP-related aspects of the EU's ability to respond rapidly to the aftermath of major disasters;
– to develop the ESDP elements of an overarching EU concept for Security Sector Reform drawing inter alia on the experience from EUSEC DRC;
to maintain the EU's commitment to work with key partners, and in particular:
– to maintain a close EU/UN dialogue, and to contribute to an effective EU response to the High Level Panel proposals on peace and security; and pursue further work in areas related to standards of behaviour and other aspects of UNSCR 1325 on women, peace and security;
– to continue to build the EU/NATO strategic partnership in crisis management, including through the establishment of an EU cell at SHAPE and a NATO liaison team at the EUMS;
– to maintain and develop further EU cooperation with the AU and African Sub Regional Organisations, both through further support for capacity-building, and further implementation of the ESDP Africa Action Plan;
– to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with Mediterranean partners in the field of ESDP;
– to take forward work on the implementation of the 3rd space with Russia
