Observatory on European defence, September 2014

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: 5 SEPTEMBER 2014
NATO WALES SUMMIT
In a pivotal moment for Euro-Atlantic security, the NATO summit, taking place in Wales between September 3 and 5, has been focused mainly on the increasing tensions over the conflict in Ukraine, as well as the growing instability in the southern neighbourhood, highlighted by the progressive advance of the Islamic State. At the end of the summit, Members States signed the NATO Wales Summit Declaration, made up of 113 points, reiterating their commitment to strengthen the core goals of NATO Security Concept. In particular, NATO members decided to strengthen the preparedness and the responsiveness of the Alliance’s forces: the Readiness Action Plan complements the existing NATO capabilities, comprising of land, air, sea and special force elements. Next, Readiness Joint Task Forces have been set as available to countries threated by Russia. Moreover, the Alliance’s members stressed the necessity to fostering interoperability and collaboration through the Connected Force Initiative and the Framework Nation Concept. In addition, and in the light of ISAF departure in December 2014, the Heads of States and Government signed a declaration on security provisions in Afghanistan. The declaration confirmed the presence on the Afghan soil of the Resolute Support Mission following the departure of ISAF troops and the Member States’ financial support to the Afghan National Security Forces. In the long haul, the NATO-Afghanistan Enduring Partnership will complement the Resolute Support Mission. Moreover, Member States issued the Declaration on Transatlantic Bond, stressing their commitment to international security and to reversing the trends of declining defence budgets. Other crucial issues, such as the deteriorating situations in Libya, Mali, Sahel/Sahara region, Western Balkan Region, Somalia, were at the centre of the debate as well.

4 SEPTEMBER
NEW NATO RAPRESENTATIVE FOR WOMEN AND PEACE AND SECURITY
Mrs. Marriët Schuurman has been nominated as the New NATO’s Special Representative for Women Peace and Security. In her 17-year career as a Dutch diplomat, Schuurmann had extensive experience in war-torn countries such as Sudan, South-Sudan, DR Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and Kosovo. She was also posted to Lusaka (Zambia) and Moscow (Russia).

8 SEPTEMBER
COUNCIL DECISION ON UKRAINE
In the wake of fraying relations between the Russian Federation and Ukraine given the armed conflict occurring in the East part of the country, the Council of the European Union imposed further sanctions against Russia (decision 2014/659/CFSP), limiting the use of specific financial instruments to some key actors of the Russian establishment. Particularly, additional restrictions on access to the capital market will be imposed on State-owned financial institutions, Russian companies in the defence and oil sectors. Furthermore, trade of technologies for deep water oil exploration and production, arctic oil exploration and shale oil projects have also been denied. In the end, twenty-four more individuals will be added to the list of those subject to travel ban and asset freeze. This brings the total of people subject to sanctions to 119. More than 20 entities remain under asset freeze in the EU.

16 SEPTEMBER
EU PARLIAMENT RATIFIED EU-UKRAINE ASSOCIATION AGREEMENT
The European Parliament has ratifiedo the EU-Ukraine Association agreement, which includes the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA). Meanwhile, the Agreement has also been ratified by the Ukrainian Parliament in Kiev. The deal will establish a deep political and economic integration between the EU and Ukraine, guaranteeing mutual free market access. As a result of the two votes, the deal will be applied temporarily, as the Agreement must be ratified by all 28 EU member states to take full legal effect.

18 SEPTEMBER
THE EU PARLIAMENT ADOPTS RESOLUTION ON IRAQ AND SYRIA, ACTIVATES CIVIL SECURITY SYSTEM
The European Parliament adopted a resolution on the ongoing events in Syria and Iraq, as the so called Islamic State (IS) continues to threaten peace and security in the whole Middle East region. The EU Parliament, calling for the protection of civilians and asking the warring parties to abide to humanitarian law, activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, the European Commission’s instrument established in 2001. In particular, through the mechanism’s operational hub, the European Emergency Response Coordination Centre, the EU Member States are monitoring the ongoing situation in Iraq and Syria and will be ready to coordinating any action in case of necessity.

25 SEPTEMBER
EUSEC RD Congo extended
The Council has extended the mandate of the EU EUSEC mission to provide assistance to the Security Sector Reform in the Democratic Republic of the Congo until 30 June 2015. The mission will extend EU’s support to the Congolese military authority and the Congolese authority on the implementation of the reform in the Congolese army (FARDC), giving advices at the strategic level, and to enhance the modernization process. Colonel Jean-Louis Nurenberg has been the Head of Mission since October 2012. Currently, 10 EU Member States and the United States of America are contributing to the mission.

30 SEPTEMBER
CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS FOR EAUM IN UKRAINE AGREED
The Council of the European Union has set the concept of operations for the EU Advisory Mission for Civilian Security Sector Reform Ukraine (EUAM Ukraine), a civilian mission under the EU Common Security and Defence Policy framework. In details, the EU mission aims to devise Ukraine on the development of its civil security sector. Moreover, respects of human rights, fight against corruption, gender issues and adherence to EU broader principles have been addressed too.