Observatory on European defence, June 2013

IN THE SPOTLIGHT : JUNE 14
EDA LAUNCHES E-QUIP, THE ON-LINE DEFENCE MARKET
The European Defence Agency (EDA) has launched e-Quip, the cost-free, non-commercial market platform for the information exchange on available assets ranging from defence systems and equipment, ammunition, or even space systems useful to logistics and maintenance. Once proposed in March 2012 by EDA, Defence Ministers and Member States’ experts have supported the establishment of a government to government electronic on-line market place to sell or transfer surplus defence equipment. Currently, thirteen Member States have access to the platform which is open for all potential buyers and sellers of EDA’s participating Member States.

JUNE 4 - 6
EUTM MALI COMPLETES THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FIRST MALIAN ARMY BATTALION
The battalion Waraba of Mali Armed Forces has been completed within the EUTM Mission in Mali under General Ibrahim Dembele, Chief of the General Staff of the Malian Armed Forces. The battalion Waraba ("lions" in Bambara language) is composed of 715 men, three infantry units and specialized support units in the field of armored cavalry, artillery and engineering. The second battalion was expected to be develop by EUTM before the end of June.

JUNE 6
EUPOL COPPS: PALESTINIAN POLICE COMPLETES IT INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT
A € 9.5 million information and communications systems infrastructure development project supported by EUPOL COPPS has been completed. The 5-year IT infrastructure project has been implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and aims at upgrading the operational and administrative capabilities between police districts and their headquarters, by including centralized information, radio, data and telecommunication.

JUNE 7 - 21
THE EU HIGH REPRESENTATIVE NOMINATES NEW CHAIR OF THE POLITICAL AND SECURITY COMMITTEE, A NEW HEAD OF DELEGATION/EU SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE TO AFGHANISTAN AND NEW HEADS OF DELEGATION TO PERU, SERBIA, MAURITANIA AND SIERRA LEONE
The High Representative of the Union for the Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, has appointed a new Head of the EU Delegation/ EU Special Representative, four Heads of EU Delegations and the new Chair of the Political and Security Committee.
Walter Stevens is the new Chair of the Political and Security Committee. Currently he is working as Head of the Crisis Management and Planning Directorate in the Headquarters of the EEAS. Previously he has served as Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Belgium to the Political and Security Committee and to the West European Union.
Franz-Michael Skjold Mellbin is the new Head of the EU Delegation/EU Special Representative to Afghanistan. Danish Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan from 2007 to 2008 and professional foreign service officer for Denmark from 1985 to 2013, he is currently serving as Under-Secretary of State for Global Politics and Security in the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Irene Horejs has been appointed Head of the EU Delegation to Peru. Previously Head of Unit for Human Development, social cohesion and employment in the European Commission's, she is currently serving as Directorate-General for Development Currently Head of the EU Delegation to the Dominican Republic (and Cuba prior to October 2012). She has also served as Head of the former European Commission Delegations to Mali and Niger.
The UK Ambassador to Serbia, Michael Davenport, has been nominated Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia. In the past he served as Director for Russia, the South Caucasus and Central Asia in the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office and as Deputy British Ambassador to Egypt.
José Antonio Sabadell has been appointed as Head of the EU Delegation to Mauritania. He previously served as Head of Civilian Component/Political Advisor for the Spanish Provincial Reconstruction team for Badghis (Afghanistan). Currently he is Deputy Director-General for North Africa in the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Peter Versteeg has been appointed as Head of the EU Delegation to Sierra Leone. Previously Head of Operations/Political and Cooperation Section in the EU Delegation to Mexico, he is currently serving as Chargé d'Affaires of the EU Delegation to Honduras.

JUNE 18
EDA AND EASA ENHANCE MUTUAL COOPERATION
The European Defence Agency (EDA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have reached an agreement enhancing their civil-military cooperation in the harmonization of military aviation safety requirements and airworthiness in areas of ‘dual use’ aircraft and the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS). Created in 2002 but fully operational since 2008, EASA is the main actor of the EU strategy in the field of aviation safety. Its mission consists in achieving a “high uniform level of civil aviation safety in Europe”, by promoting the highest common standards of safety and environmental protection in civil aviation.

JUNE 20
EDA AND EUROCONTROL DEFINES PRIORITIES FOR IMPLEMENTING THE SES
The European Defence Agency (EDA) and the European Organization for the Safety of Air Navigation (EUROCONTROL), have defined joint priorities for the implementation of the Single European Sky (SES) in the military aviation sector. Launched by the European Commission in 1999, the SES aims to meet future capacity and safety need in the airspace through legislative disposition. The arrangement will also encompass a military coordination in radiofrequency spectrum management, satellite-based applications, the Single European Sky ATM Research Programme Deployment (SESAR) and the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS). The EUROCONTROL is a civil-military intergovernmental organization founded in 1960 and developed into a vital European repository of air traffic management (ATM) excellence. By bringing together 39 Member States and the European Community, the European Organization for the Safety of Air Navigation supports ATM improvements across Europe.