Observatory on European defence, December 2009

December 1, 2009 
US-EU AGREEMENT ON JUDICIAL COOPERATION
The Justice and Home Affairs Council has adopted the UE-US agreement about the financial information exchange against the international terrorism funding, which allows the US authorities to ask financial data to the EU authorities. The agreement will operate between February 1 to October 31, 2010, while a further agreement will be negotiated and ratified according to the procedures of the Lisbon Treaty.
Finally the Council has adopted several decisions about the organization of EUROPOL and the management of the collected information.

December 4, 2009
NATO SENDS REINFORCEMENTS IN AFGHANISTAN. ESTABLISHED THE MEMBERSHIP ACTION PLAN FOR MONTENEGRO
The Foreign Affairs Ministers of the countries supporting ISAF mission (Nato-led) have decided, in the presence of High Representative Lady Ashton and the Afghan Foreign Affairs Minister, to dispatch 7.000 additional soldiers in 2010. This determination follows the decision of President Obama to send 30.000 more US soldiers in Afghanistan. In particular UK, Italy and Georgia will increase their own contingents with 1.000 soldiers, while Poland will add 600. On December 22 ISAF had nearly 84.000 soldiers deployed in Afghanistan, including 45.800 Americans.
NATO has also activated with Montenegro the MAP (Membership Action Plan), a program of assistance for countries about to join NATO. The decision about the Bosnia-Herzegovina MAP was delayed, anyway NATO encourages more reforms in the country.

December 4, 2009
NATO-RUSSIA COUNCIL PLANS NEW ACTIVITIES IN 2010
NATO-Russia Council has approved an extensive work program for 2010, which includes some projects of military and political cooperation about issues like Afghanistan, counter-terrorism and anti-missile defense. During the Council have been also adopted some measures to enhance the functioning of the body.
Finally the Council has decided to launch a joint reflection about the common security challenges. A common document should be published within 2010.

December 8, 2009
EU RENEWS THE EUPM MISSION IN BOSNIA, AND BROADENS THE TASK OF ATALANTA
The EU Foreign Affairs Council has renewed the mandate of the EU police mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina up to December 31, 2011. The mission began in 2003, to support the creation of an efficient local police force, in line with international standards and focusing on the police reform and the contrast of organized crime.
The Council has also broadened the mandate of Atalanta mission, which began in 2008 to protect the shipping, and to prevent and suppress piracy in the Somali waters; now the mission includes also the monitoring of fishing. It was the first meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in its new shape separated by EU General Affairs Council, due to the new regulations of the Lisbon Treaty.

December 8, 2009
EU DECIDES THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE STABILIZATION AND ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT WITH SERBIA
The EU General Affairs Council has decided to enforce the stabilization and association agreement with Serbia due to the increased Serbian cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. On December 22, Serbia has also submitted the application to join the European Union. The decision marks a step forward in the stabilization of the Western Balkans.

December 11, 2009
THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL ADOPTS THE “STOCKHOLM PROGRAM” ON JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS
The European Council has adopted the “Stockholm Program”, an action plan for the years 2010-2014 which follows the Hague program, to further develop the European freedom, security and justice area. The program provides for more than 170 actions to undertake about police and judicial cooperation, harmonization of codes and procedures, fight against terrorism and crime.