Brussels, 29/01/2002 (Agence Europe) - Except for upsets, the Fifteen will decide on 18 February that a European police force will take over from the United Nations International Police Task Force (IPTF) at the end of the year. This will then be the first operation conducted by and under European Union command, a first test for European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP).
"The idea is gaining ground", Council President Josep Piqué stressed on Monday, following talks in the General Affairs Council. "Logically", the decision will be taken at the next Council, as "remains to define questions of organisation and financing, internally and with the OSCE, but there is no opposition to the project", as was stressed by the entourage of the High Representative for CFSP, Javier Solana. The model of organisation being envisaged is that of the European Union Monitor Mission in the Balkans (EUMM), each paid by the Member State sending them, but for which the logistics are assured by European bodies, with Community funds. Commissioner Chris Patten himself spoke out in favour of this model being applied. The force, "which will have at least 600 men, will not patrol in the streets, but conduct training missions for Bosnian police and help monitor the borders", a diplomatic source stressed.
The conclusions adopted by the Fifteen "note progress in the idea" of sending this European mission which "would consolidate the results of the IPTF (…) especially by monitoring and inspection missions at the appropriate level, as well as by training and technical support operations". The mission "would have a unified European union chain of command (…) with a police official under the High Representative/Secretary General, and with strategic and political directives provided by the Political and Security Committee". The Council stresses that the mission will have to be prepared and then work in close co-ordination with the United Nations and OSCE, both active in the region. The Council says it is wholly prepared for other countries taking part in the force, but diplomatic sources stressed that, given the force's size, "it would not be necessary that that should be a large number".
The Council adopted conclusions on other countries of the Balkans, having heard a briefing on the trip Javier Solana made Thursday and Friday:
FRY/Serbia/Montenegro: As we mentioned yesterday, the Council approves and supports the effort made by Javier Solana to help Serbia and Montenegro review the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Whereas the Montenegrin Government wants independence and is in the process of organising a referendum on the subject, a review of relations in the framework of the federation for now remains the only option envisaged by the EU, yesterday's Council confirmed.
FRY/Kosovo: the Council again expressed its concern because the newly elected Assembly in Kosovo has not managed to find a sufficient majority to appoint a President for Kosovo. This is delaying the transfer of powers of the United Nations Mission to the Kosovar authorities, the Council stresses.
Albania: the Council again criticises the delays in the adoption of "essential reforms" but at the same time shows encouragement in stipulating that the "Union is prepared to begin as soon as possible", that is as soon as the reform are adopted, "negotiations over a stabilisation and association agreement".
Macedonia: the Council welcomes the adoption last Thursday of a bill on decentralisation, stressing that this will, finally, allow for a donor conference for Macedonia to be held on 12 March. The Council calls on the two parties to pursue in their efforts.
Belgrade/Zagreb/Sarajevo: the Council welcomes improvements in relations between the capitals and calls on them to work together to resolve the problem of the return of refugees and displaced persons.
Croatia: the Council decided to conclude an interim agreement with Croatia, which "represents an important step for this country in the stabilisation and association process".