Observatory on European Defence, June 2012

IN THE SPOTLIGHT : JUNE 5
EULEX MANDATE IN KOSOVO EXTENDED FOR TWO YEARS
The EU Council has decided to further extend the mandate of EULEX mission until 14th June 2014, allocating 111 million euros for the first year. EULEX aims at helping the Rule of Law in Kosovo, especially by focusing on the efficiency of the judiciary and the police. For the next two years, the mission is to be revised as the Kosovar authorities will assume more responsibilities. The international personnel will be reduced from 1,950 to 1,250 individuals, and the local from 1,200 to 1,000.

JUNE 5
EU AND ALBANIA STRENGHTHEN COOPERATION IN CRISIS MANAGEMENT
The Secretary General of the European External Action Service Pierre Vimont, and the Albanian Vice Prime Minister Edmond Haxhinasto, have signed an agreement on the participation of Albania in EU crisis management operations. Albania, which already took part in two military operations of the EU (EUFOR TChad/RCA in Chad and in the Central African Republic, and EUFOR Althea in Bosnia-Herzegovina) will be able to participate in European missions more easily, making use of a more structured cooperation in the field of security.

JUNE 18
THE EU DECIDES ON A CIVILIAN MISSION FOR AIR SECURITY IN SOUTH SUDAN
The EU Council has approved the EUAVSEC Mission in South Sudan, in order to strengthen security measures in the airport of the capital city Juba. The civilian mission will start in September 2012 and will last 19 months, with a personnel composed by 64 individuals and a budget of 12,5 million euros. The decision of the Council responds to the request from South Sudan since the Country has no access to the sea and the flow of goods and people highly depends on air transports.

JUNE 25
THE EU FURTHER STRENGHTENS SANCTIONS AGAINST SYRIA
Following the tragic situation in Syria, the EU Council has decided to further strengthen the sanctions against the regime. The financial assets of six companies which supported the regime are now affected by the assets freeze, together with those of an individual who is now subjected to the visa ban. So far, the EU Council has imposed sanctions against Syria for 16 times since the beginning of the repression against civilian population. On June 5, Syria had expelled the diplomats of 17 Western countries, among which Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and Spain.

JUNE 30
THE EU CONCLUDES THE POLICE MISSION IN BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA
The Police Mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina (EUPM) is finally concluded after more than 8 years. The mission started on 1st January 2003 with the aim of establishing a police force able to reach international standards in terms of legality, within the EU's wider approach to the stabilization of the Western Balkans. EUPM is the first mission launched by the EU within the former ESDP, in which 2,300 individuals from the 27 Member States and from 6 Partners have participated. The support in the field of the Rule of Law will continue through the Office of the Special Representative of the EU and the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance.