Brussels, 20/12/2011 (Agence Europe) - On 8 December the European Commission signed an agreement with the United Nations Department of Political Affairs (DPA) on mediation cooperation, the Commission announced on 19 December. This two-year initiative, funded by means of a European grant of €2 million from the Stability Instrument, seeks to enhance the DPA's ability to support mediation efforts by the UN, by regional and sub-regional organisations and by member states. The main aim, the Commission says in a press release, is to promote prevention and the peaceful resolution of disputes and armed conflicts.
The EU will fund the creation of three posts within the expert mediation standby team and their deployment anywhere n the world within 72 hours. The initiative, managed by the DPA, will also support the development of mediation training material and programmes which include the participation of the EU and other regional and sub-regional organisations. (CG/transl.rt)