Observatory on European defence, March 2010

March 1, 2010
EU COUNCIL ADOPTS RESTRICTIVE MEASURES AGAINST ERITREA
The EU Council adopted a series of restrictive measures against Eritrea, including an arms sales embargo and the assets freeze in Europe for people or entities sanctioned by the United Nations.

March 10, 2010
THE FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT FOR THE EXCHANGE OF EUROPEAN OFFICERS WAS AGREED
The European Initiative for the exchange of young officers between the armed forces of the Union has taken a step forward with the definition of the framework agreement on administrative procedures. Moreover, it was also established a system for recognizing credits achieved through training periods abroad. The initiative, adopted by the European Council in 2008, aims to promote an European culture on security and defence and improve the interoperability of European armed forces.

March 22, 2010
NEW EU REPRESENTATIVE IN AFGHANISTAN APPOINTED
The EU General Affairs Council has appointed the Lithuanian Vygaudas Usackas as the new EU Special Representative in Afghanistan. Usackas follows the Italian Ettore Sequi and will remain on charge until August 30, unless other decisions related to the implementation of EU External Action Service (EEAS).

March 25, 2010
THE HIGH REPRESENTATIVE SUBMITS HER PROPOSAL FOR THE EUROPEAN EXTERNAL ACTION SERVICE
The High Representative Catherine Ashton presented a proposal concerning the European External Action Service (EEAS) to the European Council. With regard to the common security and defence policy, the proposal aims to bring together in one Directorate General the different structures of the Military Staff, Crisis Management Planning Directorate, Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability. Under the proposal, the Intelligence Coordination Center (SitCen) should instead head directly to the Secretary General of the EEAS.