Brussels, 15/12/2005 (Agence Europe) - The General Affairs Council on 12 December adopted the report by the British Presidency on ESDP, entrusting the future Austrian Presidency to begin work on an EU ESDP mission in Kosovo from 1 January 2006, especially in the field of police and the rule of law.
In the ESDP report forwarded to the European Council meeting in Brussels, the Austrian Presidency is invited to pursue work in the following fields: Development of ESDP activities: The Presidency is expected to ensure effective management of the EU military mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina (“Althea”), and ensure the effective implementation of the new mandate for the EU police mission in Bosnia (EUPM) whose mandate was extended from January 2006 to end 2007. It should also continue effective management of the EU Police Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (EUPOL Kinshasa) and the security sector reform mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (EUSEC RD Congo), the EU civilian-military supporting action to the African Union mission in the Darfur region of Sudan (AMIS II) and the EU Monitoring Mission in Aceh (AMM) (this operation will be reviewed early 2006 and recommendations prepared on its follow-up activities). Furthermore, the Austrian Presidency is expected to continue effective management of the Integrated Rule of Law Mission for Iraq (EUJUST LEX), ensure the effective implementation of the new EU Police mission in the Palestinian territories (EUPOL COPPS) and assistance with border control at the Rafah crossing point, and in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (EU team responsible for police matters, EUPAT, is to take over from the Proxima mission. Strengthened ESDP capabilities: The Austrian Presidency is invited to: - continue work on the Civilian Headline Goal 2008, in particular on meeting identified shortfalls, according to the results of the last conference for improving civilian capabilities; - prepare the new catalogue of military requirements; - make work move forward on the EU battlegroup initiative (which is part of the rapid response policy); - continue work on measures defined in the conceptual context relating to the ESDP dimension of the fight against terrorism; - and continue work on European space policy.