Observatory on European defence, November 2009

November 17, 2009
NEW TERMS FOR ATALANTA, EUPOL AFGHANISTAN AND GUINEA BISSAU MISSIONS
The EU Foreign Affairs Council, in the presence of the Ministries of Defence, has decided to extend Atalanta mission until December 2010. The aim of the mission is to protect the shipping in the Somali waters, and to prevent and suppress piracy.
The Council has also allocated 17.4 million euro for the EUPOL-Afghanistan mission, enough for operations until May 2010. The mission’s task is to contribute to the training of an efficient Afghan Police force.
Finally the Council has extended until May 30, 2010 the mission to support the security sector reform in Guinea Bissau.

November 17, 2009
EDA BUDGET PASSED
The EU Foreign Affairs Council has approved the European Defence Agency budget, allocating 30.5 million euro, basically the same amount of 2008. The Council has also approved the guidelines for EDA’s activities in 2010.

November 17, 2009
UPDATED RESTRICTIONS AGAINST IRAN AND BELARUS
The EU Foreign Affairs Council has extended until October 2010 the restrictive measures against Belarus, but at the same time it has extended the suspension of travel restrictions for some Belarusian officials.
The Council has updated the list of Iranian politicians and officials affected by restrictive measures, due to changes in the composition of Iranian Government.

November 17, 2009
NEW EDA INITIATIVES
The EDA Ministerial Steering Board has approved the Agency’s work plan for 2010, according to the budget passed by EU Council.
The Steering Board has also launched the European Framework Cooperation for Security and Defence, for the purpose to synchronize the European investments in research and technology. EDA was commissioned, in coordination with the EU Commission and the European Space Agency, to prepare the detailed draft and the contents of the cooperation.
The Steering Board has also launched the European Helicopter Training Program, to increase the availability of helicopters for crisis management operations. The program will focus on individual training, interoperability and operational tactics.
Moreover , fourteen European Ministries of Defence have signed a Letter of Intent on the European Air Transport Fleet. The aim of this LoI is to develop solutions for the European deficiencies in air transport, counting on joint acquisitions, training and logistics.
Finally the Steering Board has approved a research program on Unmanned Maritime Systems, that will serve as a framework for other programs about unmanned naval systems and others , like, for example, submarine counter-mine systems.