EUROPEAN DEFENCE OVERVIEW
 

COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

The Council of the European Union represents the governments of the Union’s 27 nations are under the legislature of the European Union. Each nation provides one minister whose portfolio includes the subject being discussed. In the case of defence - the ministers responsible would attend (in company with their own National European Commissioner). The other legislative body is the European Parliament.

EUROPEAN COMMON SECURITY AND DEFENCE POLIC (CSDP)

The EU CSDP is the successor to what used to be known as the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP). As such the CSDP is an important component of the EU's Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and provides the framework for policy and plans relating to all aspects of European defence and security.

CSDP OBJECTIVES- EU HELSINKI HEADLINE GOAL 2010

The EU has adopted the following illustrative scenarios which form the basis for force planning to meet the EU Helsinki Headline Goal 2010 proposals:

  • Stabilisation, reconstruction and military advice to third world countries

  • Separation of parties by force

  • Assistance to humanitarian operations

  • Conflict Prevention

  • Evacuation Operations in a non-permissive environment

To ensure that the requirements of the CSDP and the objectives of the Headline Goal 2010 are met, the following command and planning elements have been established:

EUROPEAN POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE (PSC)

The PSC keeps track of the requirements of the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy and defines how those requirements can be incorporated into the Common Security and Defence Policy. Reporting to the Council of the EU the PSC is composed of EU Ambassadors who have the responsibility for providing a coherent And response to a crisis or emergency.

EUROPEAN UNION MILITARY COMMITTEE (EUMC)

Under the leadership of its current Chairman General Hakan Syren (Sweden), the EUMC is composed of the Chiefs of Defence of the EU member nations. Under normal circumstances these Chiefs of Defence are represented by officers seconded to the EUMC from each of the EU member nations. The EUMC provides advice and recommendations on all aspects of EU security and defence matters to the PSC.

COMMITTEE FOR CIVILIAN ASPECTS OF CRISIS MANAGEMENT (CIVCOM)

This committee works closely with the EUMC and provides the PSC with information and recommendations relating to all civilian aspects of crisis and emergency management.

EUROPEAN UNION MILITARY STAFF (EUMS)

Working directly to the Chairman of the EUMC the staff is composed of military and civilian personnel who are responsible for planning and coordination of EU security and defence objectives within the framework of the CSDP.

EU OPERATIONS CENTRE

During January 2007, the EU Operations Centre was established in Brussels. This Headquarters can command a small force of about 2000 troops (possibly a Battlegroup).

In addition to the EU Operations Centre, there are 5 x national operational headquarters which have been made available for use by the EU. These are:

  • Mont Valerien (Paris)

  • Northwood (London)

  • Potsdam (Berlin)

  • Centocelle ((Rome)

  • Larissa (Greece) 

For example: EUFOR's Democratic Republic of the Congo mission uses Potsdam as its Operational Headquarters (OHQ). There is an agreement that where necessary the EU can use NATO capabilities

CIVILIAN PLANNING AND CONDUCT CAPABILITY (CPCC)

Working directly to the Political and Security Committee (PSC) this group is responsible for the command and control of civilian (non-military) elements of CSDP crisis and emergency related operations.