Observatory on European Defence, November 2011

IN THE SPOTLIGHT : November 12, 2011
THE HIGH REPRESENTATIVE OF EU FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND SECURTY POLICY CATHERINE ASHTON INAUGURATED THE EU DELEGATION IN TRIPOLI
The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, visited Tripoli in order to officially inaugurate the new European Union delegation in Libya and to meet the President of the Libyan National Transitional Council (NTC) Abdul Jalil, the Prime Minister Abdurrahim al-Kheib and Ian Martin, in charge of the UN mission in Libya. The opening of the branch in Tripoli occurs after opening a previous base in Bengasi, on 22nd May 2011, and dispatching a unit of the EEAS (European External Action Service) on 31st August 2011, led by Italian Agostino Miozzo. To date the European Union has supplied Libya with 155 million euro in humanitarian aids, 30 million for the stabilization process led by the NCT and 50 million for long-term programs.

November 14, 2011
THE EUROPEAN UNION STRENGHTENS RESTRICTIVE MEASURES AGAINST SYRIA
Due to the development of the Syrian domestic policy, the EU Council has decided to strengthen the restrictive measures against Syria. The Council added 18 further individuals, responsible for human rights violations, to those subjected to asset freeze and visa ban, according to the decision 2011/273/CFSP and the regulation 442/2011. In total, 74 persons and 19 entities are affected to these restrictions. The Council banned any loan payment of the European Investment Bank (EIB) and any collaboration among Syria and EIB.

November 17, 2011
NEW NATO BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENCE SYSTEM TEST
During Rapid Arrow 2011 Exercise, NATO ALTBMD (Active Layered Theatre Ballistic Missile Defence) was tested successfully. Unlike the previous exercises, in this case a real missile was launched towards the target area: it was intercepted and then destroyed by the Anti Ballistic Missile System. The ALTBMD is composed by national antimissile systems, connected by a common command chain and control system. This constitution allows a better defense of forces and population of NATO Member States. At the height of ALTBMD Program there is the Italian General Alessandro Pera.

November 18, 2011
ADMIRAL DI PAOLA LEAVES THE CHAIR OF NATO MILITARY COMMITTEE
Admiral Giampaolo di Paola, Chairman of NATO Military Committee, left the office in advance, due to the appointment as Defence Minister of the new government of Italian Republic. American General Walter E. Gaskin is replacing the Italian Admiral temporarily until June 2012, when the new Chairman, Danish General Knud Bartels, takes the charge. General Bartels, current Chief of Staff of Danish Army, has been appointed unanimously by NATO Military Committee on September 2011.

November 30, 2011
EDA PROMOTS NEW POOLING AND SHARING PROJECTS AND SIGNS AND AGREEMENT WITH SWITZERLAND
European Defence Agency (EDA), composed of Defence Ministers of EDA Member States, met in Bruxelles to propose a set of sectors through EDA could coordinate the pooling and sharing of assets. The aim of this initiative is to allow Member States to develop some capabilities they cannot have individually, reducing the costs, improving the efficiency and the rationalization of the national military systems. Thanks to the consultancy of five experts, National Armaments Directors or Chiefs of Staff of national Army, EDA could identify eleven cooperation areas, among which base hospitals, air-to-air refueling AAR, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), pilot training, smart munitions, logistics and maritime training.
On 30th November EDA and Switzerland signed a cooperation agreement, which allows Switzerland to participate to EDA’s projects and programs in the future.