Observatory on European defence, July-August 2014

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: UKRAINE CRISIS
In the framework of the crisis between Ukraine and Russia, the European Union bodies took measures to tackle the ongoing challenge:

22-24 JULY
ESTABLISHED A MISSION TO ADVISE ON CIVILIAN SECURITY SECTOR REFORM IN UKRAINE, AND ITS HEAD APPOINTED
The Council of European Union has established the EU Advisory Mission for Civilian Security Sector Reform Ukraine (EUAM Ukraine), a civilian mission under the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy. This unarmed, non-executive civilian mission entails advisers to support the elaboration of revised security strategies and the implementation of reforms. A budget of € 2.68 million for the start-up phase of the mission, until 30 November, has been allocated in the headquarters in Kiev. Consequently, the Political and Security Committee has appointed Mr Kalman Mizsei as Head of Mission.

30 JULY
EU RESTRICTIVE MEASURES ADOPTED (PART I)
The Council of European Union has adopted further measures to reinforce EU sanctions on the matter of the Ukraine crisis, by giving a legal value to agreements reached at the Committee of Permanent Members. Hence, 8 persons and 3 entities have joined the list of the ones who are suspected of participating in the disrupting process of Ukraine’s united territoriality. A total of 95 persons and 23 entities have been facing the sanctions of asset freeze and visa ban. Furthermore, additional trade and investment restrictions for Crimea and Sebastopol have been included in the decision. Along to this, the Council has established that, investments in realms like, infrastructure projects in the transport, telecommunications, energy sectors and the exploitation of oil, gas and minerals have been prohibited, together with the export of key equipment for these sectors, and the ban on transactions.

31 JULY
EU RESTRICTIVE MEASURES ADOPTED (PART II)
The Council of European Union has taken the following decisions. First, EU citizens and companies may not buy or sell new bonds or other financial instruments issued by major state-owned Russian banks, development banks, their subsidiaries outside the EU and those acting on their behalf. Secondly, an embargo on import and export of arms and related material to and from Russia, together with a limited embargo on dual use goods and technologies for military use, were imposed. Thirdly, energy-related equipment and technology exported to Russia has been put under a condition of prior authorization.

OTHER:

3 JULY
NEW OPERATION COMMANDER FOR EU NAVAL FORCE SOMALIA
The Council of European Union’s Political and Security Committee has appointed Major General Martin Smith as the new Operation Commander for the EU Naval Force Somalia - EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA to replace Rear Admiral Robert Tarrant. Operation ATLANTA was launched in December 2008 with the aim of preventing piracy and armed robbery off the coast of Somalia and in the Indian Ocean. It is also entailed to guarantee that the vessels of the World Food Programme can effectively deliver food aid to displaced persons in Somalia and shipping of the African Union Mission in Somalia.

8 JULY
NEW EU SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE SOUTH CAUCASUS AND THE CRISIS IN GEORGIA APPOINTED
The Council of European Union has appointed Ambassador Herbert Salber as EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia. His commitment has to be direct to the establishment of a peaceful settlement in the region, as well as the empowerment of regional cooperation, with a special focus on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. This term runs until 28 February 2015.

9 JULY
EU POLICE MISSION FOR THE PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES EXTENDED
The Council of European Union has prolonged the EU police mission for the Palestinian Territories (EUPOL COPPS) until 30 June 2015. The project is to assist the Palestinian Authority in empowering its governmental structure in view of a future state, coming out of the peace process with Israel. Since the 1 July, Rodolphe Mauget had been nominated Head of the mission. Moreover, a budget of € 9.8 million has been allocated for the mission's activities between 1 July 2014 and 30 June 2015.

21 JULY
SUSPENSION OF EU SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAN EXTENDED
The Council of European Union has extended until 24 November the suspension of EU restrictive measures against Iran. Therefore, Iran enjoys first, both insurance on and transport of Iranian crude oil sales to current customers: secondly import, purchase or transport of Iranian petrochemical products; thirdly, trade in gold and precious metals with the Iranian government and its public bodies.

22 JULY
EU SANCTIONS AGAINST SYRIAN REGIME REINFORCED
The Council of European Union has adopted a decision to strengthen the EU restrictive measures against those who have been involved in violent repression of the Syrian civil population and in the support to the Syrian regime. From a closer point of you, it gathers that a total of 192 persons and 62 entities have been subjected to the sanctions, namely the asset freeze and the ban from entering into the European Union.

22 JULY
MANDATE OF EUCAP SAHEL NIGER AND EUCAP NESTOR HORN OF AFRICA EXTENDED
The Council of European Union has extended the mandate of EUCAP SAHEL mission in Niger, until July 2016. The latter aims at supporting the Nigerian leadership in promoting strategies to counter-terrorism and organized crime, and in strengthening the interoperability and sustainability of security forces. In the same day, the Council of European Union has extended the mandate of EUCAP Nestor in the Horn of Africa and the countries of Western India Ocean until 12 December 2016. The main goal of this mission is to enhance, through advising, mentoring and training, the regional maritime capacity building in that geographic area, to fight piracy and govern territorial waters effectively. This implant works along the EU Naval Force Somalia and the EU Training Mission for Somalia. Etienne de Poncins has been the Head of Mission, since July 2013. The latter disposes of a budget of € 11.9 million for the period from November 2013 to October 2014.

AUGUST

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: 30 AUGUST
FEDERICA MOGHERINI APPOINTED AS NEW EU HIGH REPRESENTATIVE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND SECURITY POLICY
The European Council has appointed Federica Mogherini as new EU High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Her office has started at the end of the current term of office of the Commission and will expire on 31 October 2019.

12 AUGUST
EU HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE FOR UKRAINIAN CONFLICT-AFFECTED POPULATION INCREASED
The European Commission has decided to increase the amount of aid reserved for the Ukrainian crisis, by giving additional funding of €2.5 million to assist the most vulnerable people affected by the continuing fighting in Eastern Ukraine. This humanitarian aid has been geared towards helping to register and relocate internally displaced people (IDPs), provide shelter, food, water, healthcare, psycho-social assistance and protection.

15 AUGUST
EU FOREIGN MINISTERS SUPPORTED ARMS SUPPLIES FOR THE KURDS
In an emergency meeting called by France and occurred in Brussels on 15 August, the 28 European Union Foreign Ministers have approved the decision of sending arms to the Kurdish security forces in order to contrast the advance of the Islamic State. Arms will be provided by member states on an individual basis, in particular: France will step up humanitarian aid and send arms to the Kurdish forces; Britain will send Chinook helicopters for the relief operations; Germany pledged to deliver non-lethal military aid such as body armour and armoured vehicles; Czech Republic could start delivering firearms and munitions to the Kurds starting at the end of August. Moreover, further humanitarian aid for the displaced had been planned: Italy will send six planes with humanitarian aid for people displaced by the fighting. Germany already sent humanitarian aid such as drinking water, blankets, medicine and food to be unloaded in Irbil, capital of the Kurdish region of Iraq.