EUROPEAN SECURITY AND DEFENCE POLICY—PROSPECTIVE
ACTIVITY
Letter from Rt Hon Geoff Hoon MP, Minister
for Europe, Foreign and Commonwealth Office to the Chairman
I wanted to update you on possible future European
Security and Defence Policy missions. While EU agreement in all
cases is still some way off, the Committee may find it helpful
to have notice of upcoming developments in European Security and
Defence Policy activity.
AFGHANISTAN
Following a joint Commission/Council needs assessment
mission to Afghanistan in September, the Political and Security
Committee agreed on 14 November to send a second fact-finding
mission to Afghanistan to look at how a rule of law mission could
be implemented. The fact-finding mission departed for Afghanistan
on 27 November and should return on 13 December.
THE OCCUPIED
TERRITORIES
On 2 October the Palestinian Authorities asked
the EU to extend its border monitoring activity at Rafah to the
Karni Crossing Point, the main goods crossing point for exports
from Gaza. Israel has not yet made a similar request of the EU.
LEBANON
I wrote in October to inform you that a fact-finding
mission was sent to Lebanon to look at possible European Security
and Defence Policy activity. In the event the decision was taken
that as EU Member States were already heavily engaged in supporting
Lebanon, including through leadership of and contributions to
UNIFIL. There was no scope for European Scrutiny and Defence Policy
activity at this time.
SUDAN
The mandate of the African Union mission in
Sudan is due to expire at the end of December. The African Union
Political and Security Committee agreed on 30 November to extend
the mission for a further six months. It is, therefors, highly
likely that the EU will extend the mandate of its supporting action
to the African Union Mission for the same period. This will not
require a new Council Decision because provision for extensions
was made in the original Joint Action, which was submitted for
Scrutiny by the FCO on 6 July 2005, and cleared by both Houses
in the following week.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC
OF CONGO
Following the report of a fact-finding mission
that travelled to the Democratic Republic of Congo in October,
discussions are currently underway in Brussels about the shape
of a possible Security Sector Reform mission there. As Congolese
ownership of Security Sector Reform is vital, no firm planning
can be done until the new Democratic Republic of Congo government
is in place. This is not expected before the New Year and detailed
mission planning is therefore unlikely before the spring.
I will continue to ensure that you are alerted
to preparations for European Security and Defence Policy activity
at an early opportunity.
6 December 2006
Letter from Rt Hon Geoff Hoon MP, Minister
for Europe, Foreign and Commonwealth Office to the Chairman
I wanted to update you on work on European Security
and Defence Policy missions. While agreement to new activity is
still some way off, the Committee may find it useful to have notice
of the following developments.
AFGHANISTAN
At the General Affairs and External Relations
Council on 12 February I expect Ministers will approve a concept
for a European Security and Defence Policy mission to Afghanistan.
While there is much more planning to be done before a Joint Action
can be agreed, this is a welcome step forward.
In the planning for a possible civilian mission
to Afghanistan so far, we have secured support for a comprehensive
approach in the field of policing, with linkages to the wider
rule of law. Seamless operational co-operation between police
and prosecution services will be important for boosting the rule
of law in Afghanistan. Other Member States have also supported
our view that the training and mentoring programmes should include
a counter-narcotics component with the aim of complementing and
integrating ongoing counter-narcotics work. There is also agreement
that personnel security should be integral to mission planning.
THE DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
CONGO
Plans for security sector reform activity in
the Democratic Republic of Congo are progressing in Brussels.
The current proposal is for the security sector reform mission
(EUSec) and the policing mission (EUPol) to continue with revised
mandates, allowing them to take a more strategic role in the reform
of the army and police respectively. Their current mandates expire
on 30 June but, in the meantime, it is important that the EU can
engage effectively with the new government. The EU intends to
provide two additional security sector reform experts to help
the government look at reform in a more co-ordinated and strategic
way. We are considering supplying one of these if the right candidate
can be found.
KOSOVO
We are continuing planning with partners for
a possible civilian policing mission to Kosovo. Agreement to any
mission will not be possible until the UN-led Kosovo Final Status
process has concluded. As you will be aware Marti Ahtisaari, the
UN's Kosovo Status Envoy, presented his status proposals to the
parties on 2 February.
PALESTINIAN OCCUPIED
TERRITORIES
The EU Border Assistance Mission at Rafah is
due to be reviewed before its mandate expires on 24 May. The matter
has yet to be discussed but we will ensure you are alerted to
this and any other Joint Actions on ESDP at the earliest opportunity.
7 February 2007
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