Observatory on European defence, September 2010

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: September 30, 2010 
UE INITIATIVES ABOUT CYBERSECURITY
The European Commission has approved a draft directive to make illegal the gathering and sharing of data related to cyber-crimes, as well as the creation of “botnets”. Botnets are networks of computer “infected” by virus, that become “zombies” and then could be controlled by hackers to commit cyber-attacks.
The directive comes with a decision to improve the mandate of the European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA), the EU Agency for cyber-security. The new duties of ENISA will include cooperation with EUROPOL (dedicated to the coordination of national polices) and FRONTEX, the agency for the security of EU borders. The aim is to make possible the identification and prosecution of the authors of potential cyber-attacks. ENISA has also the task to set up a European early warning system to monitor cyber-security and to organize a quick reaction team in case of emergency.
The initiative, presented by the European Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmstrom, testifies the growing attention of European Union about cyber-security. It comes after some intelligence reports provided by UK, France and Germany, about recent cyber-attacks made by “botnets”, like “Conficker”, against military websites.

September 13, 2010
NEW GUIDELINES FOR ISAF MISSION IN AFGHANISTAN
The ISAF Commander David Petraeus has issued the guidelines for the contracts stipulated by the Allied Forces in Afghanistan. The guidelines aim to reinforce the contracts’ economic advantage for Afghan suppliers and staff, and to fight the related corruption, in order to help the counterinsurgency strategy. In the recent years NATO strategy has been more focused on the improvement of Afghan military, institutional and economic capabilities, in order to transition security responsibilities from ISAF to the Afghan authorities and prepare for the gradual withdraw of NATO mission.

September 16, 2010
THE COMPETITIVENESS COUNCIL IN CHARGE OF SPACE POLICY
The EU Council has decided to include the space policy within the Competitiveness Council jurisdiction, which also deals with internal market, industry and research. Space policy has important implications also for European security, because of the dual-use characters of space assets.

September 23-27, 2010
UE EXTENDS THE MISSIONS IN CONGO AND THE RESTRICTIONS AGAINST TRANSNISTRIA’S LEADERHIP
The EU Council has extended until September 30, 2011 the Police Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The mission, launched in 2007, aims to assist the Congolese authorities in the reform of police forces including their relationship with the judiciary.
On September 21, the Council of Foregin Affairs has extended for two years the mandate of EUSEC mission in Congo. The mandate of the mission, which goal is to support the Congolese authorities in the reconstruction of the national army, will be active until September 30, 2012. The Council also extended until September 30, 2011 the restrictive measures towards the leaders of Transnistria, a secessionist region of Moldova. The measures include also the ban of access to the European Union. At the same time, the Council has decided to renew for six months the suspension of these measures in order to encourage negotiations for a solution to the current crisis in Moldova.