The Director for CSDP and Crisis Response at the European External Action Service, Stefano Tomat, announced on 14 April that the first meeting of the European Peace Facility (EPF) Committee would take place on 21 April.
This committee, which will be chaired by a representative of the EU Council Presidency, should oversee the management of this new instrument by focusing on the budget and administrative aspects of the Facility, he told the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Security and Defence. The Facility is expected to be operational on 1 July 2021 (see EUROPE 12683/30).
According to Mr Tomat, the first focus of the committee’s work will be to identify the first assistance measures to be put in place in 2021, with the aim of ensuring a smooth transition between the former instruments—Athena and the African Peace Facility—and avoiding disruption.
The second axis focuses on assistance measures to be implemented in conjunction with CSDP mission and operation initiatives.
Mr Tomat added that while the main objective of the Facility was to focus on Africa, “because that is where there are several crises that affect our security”, its scope was much broader, with the possibility of helping the EU’s neighbouring regions in particular.
According to Mr Tomat, the aim is that an initial presentation be given to the Member States “within three weeks, one month” and to be able to launch the Facility in July with indications from the Member States on how to implement it. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)