Observatory on European defence, February 2013

IN THE SPOTLIGHT : FEBRUARY 7
EU PUBLISHES A CYBERSECURITY STRATEGY
The European Commission with the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has published a cybersecurity strategy. The European Union’s cybersecurity strategy, "An Open, Safe and Secure Cyberspace", represents the EU’s comprehensive vision on how best to prevent and respond to cyber disruptions and attacks. The strategy articulates the EU’s vision of cyber-security in terms of five priorities: 1) achieving cyber resilience; 2) drastically reducing cybercrime; 3) developing cyber defence policy and capabilities related to the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP); 4) developing the industrial and technological resources for cyber-security; 5) establishing a coherent international cyberspace policy for the European Union and promoting core EU values.

FEBRUARY 16
ALL PATRIOT BATTERIES ARE UNDER NATO COMMAND
Six Patriot missiles batteries have been deployed in Turkey and declared operational under NATO command and control structure. The most recently deployed batteries, provided by the US, have been positioned in the south-eastern province of Gazantiep while the other were provided by Germany and Netherlands.

FEBRUARY 18
NEW RESTRICTIVE MEASURES AGAINST NORTH KOREA
The Council has decided to strengthen EU restrictive measures against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). In the light of recent nuclear test and ballistic missile test in December 2012, this decision gives effect to measures provided for in UN Security Council Resolution 2087. These new restrictive measures bring the total number of persons subject to a travel ban and an asset freeze to 26 while the total number of entities targeted by an asset freeze now amounts to 33. Besides, the Council has agreed to ban the export and import of key components for ballistic missiles with the DPRK. The Council has also prohibited trade in new public bonds from the DPRK. Moreover, North Korean banks will no more be allowed to open new branches in the Union nor establish joint ventures with European financial institutions. Nor will European banks be permitted to establish offices and subsidiaries in the DPRK.

FEBRUARY 21
NATO AND AUSTRALIA STRENGTHEN THEIR PARTNERSHIP
The Atlantic Alliance and Australia have signed an Individual Partnership and Cooperation Programme (IPCP). The signature follows and complements the Joint Political Declaration between NATO and Australia which was signed by the NATO Secretary General and Australia Prime Minister in June 2012. The Declaration, which was the first of its kind NATO signed with a partner nation, underlined the interest shared by NATO and Australia in forging a closer strategic partnership. Beyond cooperation on global challenges, the two sides also agreed to work closely on crisis and conflict management, post-conflict situations, reconstruction, and facilitating humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. In this perspective, the IPCP takes that commitment forward and sets out in detail more areas for future cooperation.