Brussels, 19/11/2007 (Agence Europe) - - On Monday 19 November, European Union member states' defence ministers confirmed their support for the deployment of a military force (EUFOR Chad/CAR) in the east of Chad and the north-east of the Central African Republic to secure a region as large as France along with the region's refugee and displaced persons camps. The deployment will be carried out in parallel to the deployment of a UN force in the region and a hybrid AU-UN force (UNAMID) in neighbouring Darfur which should also act as a deterrent to the benefit of the stability of the entire sub-region.
During their exchange of views, the ministers addressed first and foremost the question of member states' contributions, which will be confirmed by the third force generation conference to be held on 21 November. The main outstanding problem is that of tactical transport, particularly helicopters. Part of the solution will come from Portugal, which has announced it will be providing two helicopters. Slovenia has confirmed that it will be sending an officer to the Operations Headquarters at Mont Valerien in France. It is likely that the future Presidency will provide EUFOR Chad with a medical support unit. The Luxembourg and German ministers have confirmed their financial contribution; €400,000 for Luxembourg (and three officers will be sent to the EUFOR OHQ) and €20 million for Germany. Ireland's contribution has also been revised upwards, with 50 additional soldiers being announced by Irish foreign minister Dermot Ahern. After France, this makes Ireland the biggest EU contributor with a total of 400 soldiers. Poland is sending 350 gendarmes. (A.By)