Annex: Conclusions of the General Affairs and
External Relations Council of 12 June 2006
The Council adopted the following conclusions:
1. The Council welcomes the release of the European
Commission Communication 'A Concept for European Community Support
for Security Sector Reform'. This concept complements the Concept
for ESDP support to Security Sector Reform, adopted in November
2005. Together the two concepts constitute a policy framework
for EU engagement in Security Sector Reform, stressing the importance
for the EU to take a comprehensive and cross-pillar approach to
SSR recognizing the fact that SSR is a holistic, multi-sector,
and long-term process encompassing the overall functioning of
the security system as part of governance reforms.
2. This EU policy framework for SSR is an important
contribution to EU's external action. Preventing and resolving
violent conflict and addressing fragile states are part of the
EU's efforts to reduce insecurity and eradicate poverty through
strengthening good governance and the rule of law in third countries;
finding solutions to existing problems; thus helping to achieve
the commitments of the Millennium Declaration and the Millennium
Development Goals, sustainable development and global security
and to implement the EU's Development Policy Statement 'The European
Consensus on Development', including the security objectives of
the EU as set out in the European Security Strategy.
3. The EU action on SSR should be based on the following
principles, drawing on the OECDDAC definition on SSR:
- nationally/regionally owned
participatory reform processes designed to strengthen good governance,
democratic norms, the rule of law and the respect and promotion
of human rights, in line with internationally agreed norms;
- addressing the core requirements of a well functioning
security system, including the development of a nationally owned
concept of security, well defined policies and good governance
of security institutions;
- addressing diverse security challenges facing
states and their populations, based on a gender-sensitive multi-sector
approach to the provision of security and access to justice, and
targeting reform needs in different key sectors. This includes
separating tasks between different services and institutions and
taking into account the role of civil society and other non-state
structures of governance;
- accountability and transparency standards should
be the same that apply across the public sector, in particular
improved governance through greater civilian and parliamentary
oversight of security processes;
- political dialogue with each partner country,
addressing human rights, development and security concerns, and
be carried out in synergy with other instruments.
4. The EU has a broad range of civilian and military
instruments which are able to support SSR activities. A case-by-case
analysis based on a situation specific approach is always needed
to assess whether any proposed activities are most appropriately
carried out through ESDP or Community action or a combination
of both with the objective of ensuring effective and coherent
EU external action in this area. The Council and the Commission
will ensure consistency between their activities in accordance
with Article 3 of the TEU.
5. The Council agrees to take forward work during
the Finnish Presidency with the Commission to develop an EU approach
to contribute to Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration
(DDR) as part of broader SSR support and consistent with the EU
policy framework for SSR.
6. The Council invites future Presidencies and the
Commission to progressively translate this policy framework for
EU engagement in SSR into operational actions by the European
Community and in the framework of ESDP, in order to provide effective,
coherent and sustainable support to EU partner countries and regions.
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