Brussels, 23/01/2012 (Agence Europe) - On 23 January, the 27 decided to activate the EU Operations Centre for operations in the Horn of Africa, to increase the effectiveness of anti-piracy missions and operations in the region, in view of the fact that a civilian mission will be set in place in the near future.
In unanimous conclusions adopted without debate on Monday, the Council points out that the operational planning work to launch a civilian mission is underway to boost regional maritime capacity in Somalia and throughout the Horn of Africa, and that the simultaneous conduct of three CSDP operations (EU NAVFOR Atalanta, EUTM Somalia, and this civilian mission) will require increased coordination and interaction between the military and civilian players, hence the need to activate the EU operations centre.
Amongst other things, this centre will be responsible for: - providing direct support to the civilian operational command for the operational planning and conduct of the mission to reinforce regional maritime capacities; - providing support to the command of the EUTM Somalia mission (training of Somali recruits in the territory of Uganda) and reinforcing strategic coordination between the mission and other actions carried out in the framework of the CDSP in the region; - reinforcing civilian/military synergies; - providing a liaison with the Atalanta operation; - and facilitating interaction between the mission/operations and structures based in Brussels.
The Council welcomes the member states' intention to second staff to the operations centre, including for its command. The Political and Security Committee (PSC/COPS) will regularly report to the Council on all relevant aspects of the operations centre. The green light given by the Foreign Affairs Ministers of the 27 to the activation of the EU Operations Centre is subject to the adoption of a decision of the Council as soon as possible. (AN/transl.fl)