MEPs adopted proposals to enable the EU’s civilian missions to meet new challenges on the ground, before the presentation in May of a strategic document, the new Civilian CSDP compact.
On Tuesday, MEPs adopted a series of proposals on the implementation of the civilian Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and other EU assistance in the field of civil security, by 493 votes to 81 with 66 abstentions.
A better strategic vision of civilian crisis management
MEPs call on member states to use the opportunity of a new strategic document (the new civilian CSDP compact), which is to be presented in mid-May, to strengthen their strategic vision of civilian crisis management. The document should define the role and benefits of the civilian CSDP and introduce more planning, strategic foresight and conflict analysis into decision-making on missions and mandates, they add.
Traditional civilian CSDP tasks, such as policing, rule of law, civilian administration, security sector reform, monitoring and disarmament, as well as demobilisation, remain more relevant than ever to stabilise and modernise the security and justice sectors, but they need to be adapted to the new and emerging challenges, MEPs say.
MEPs also highlight the need for clearer mandates and well-defined objectives, and call for the introduction of exit strategies for civilian missions, once operational and political objectives have been met and an impartial and independent mechanism to evaluate the impact of missions. The adopted report provides analysis and work streams for ongoing missions in Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia, Kosovo, the Middle East region and Africa and recalls the necessity to pay renewed and focused attention to current missions.
More resources needed for missions on the ground
MEPs draw attention to the need to make civilian CSDP mission capabilities and resources more available and flexible. Only 10 member states provide 78% of the seconded personnel and the means available to the European External Action Service in the field of civilian CSDP in general are limited, the report warns.
It calls on member states to allow the Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability (CPCC) to develop and have operational headquarters with the necessary funds, personnel and expertise, and to make the most of the links between civilian and military missions, while maintaining complementary chains of command.
While the number of missions and tasks carried out under civilian CSDP has increased and the cost of operations has risen, the CFSP budget allocated to them has increased only slightly since the previous long-term EU budget (the Multiannual Financial Framework), MEPs regret.
They also demand that the new Compact increase women’s full participation in all missions in order to comply with the EU’s gender action plan. The cooperation with host governments and civil society remains key to the success of civilian CSDP missions on the ground, MEPs add.
In conclusion, MEPs call for the European Parliament to be more closely involved in CSDP civilian missions’ decision-making process.
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Lead MEP Alviina Alametsä (The Greens, FI) declared:
“Member states must step up their strategic ambition and political will to make sure that the Civilian Compact, which is to be adopted in May, goes beyond business as usual. It must be seen as a credible commitment to civilian CSDP, in order to equip missions with sufficient and well-trained personnel, infrastructure and additional funding. As the security environment changes, so do the requirements for our missions, and the EU must be willing to invest in its non-military support to fragile countries.ʺ
Background
The Civilian CSDP Compact is a key strategic document signed by EU member states in 2018 to strengthen the EU’s capacity to deploy civilian crisis management missions. The objectives of these missions are to reinforce the police, the rule of law and the civil administration in fragile and conflict settings.
Building on the guidance in the Strategic Compass, a new civilian CSDP Compact should be adopted in mid-May. Last December, the adoption of Council conclusions also identified objectives and new ambitions for civilian CSDP. There are currently twelve EU civilian crisis management missions, including in Ukraine and Georgia, Somalia and Iraq. The European Union established the latest EU civilian mission in Armenia on 20 February.
Source – EU Parliament