Brussels, 13/05/2014 (Agence Europe) - On 12 May, Belgium, Finland, Italy, Hungary, Luxembourg, Poland, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland officially presented the European Institute of Peace (EIP). This independent foundation aims to prevent, manage and resolve crises, working closely with the institutions of the EU. Its annual budget is estimated to be €3 million, funded mainly by the participant states. “We (…) have joined together to launch the European Institute of Peace to help tackle some of the challenges of today's world”, explained the foreign ministers of the countries taking part, in an open letter published in the Belgian daily newspaper Le Soir. “Respectful of the diversity in Europe and cognizant of the multiplicity of needs abroad, the governments that we represent take a 'can do, will engage' attitude”, they added.
The Institute, which will be based in Brussels, is “offered as an independent and flexible partner to the EU and other institutions, complementing and enhancing the set of instruments already at the EU's disposal”, the ministers explained. The EIP will support engagement and build capacity in mediation and dialogue, including by providing conflict analysis, training, facilitation and coaching. It will pursue multi-track diplomacy and promote best practice in conflict management. The heads of diplomacy added that the Institute should serve as an operational hub, connecting expertise and sharing knowledge, and should be a bridge with European civil society efforts.
In parallel, the ministers are committed to developing the mediation capacities of the EU “as such”. “The EIP is an ambitious way to advance European capacities and augment the diplomatic toolkit of the EU and beyond”, they concluded.
The idea of the Institute was launched in 2010 by the Swedish and Finnish foreign ministers. On 5 May, the Italian-Swedish diplomat Staffan de Mistura was appointed president of the council of governors. By early 2015, the team will have around 20 members. (CG)