In view of the European Council in June, the EU is preparing its response to the deteriorating security situation in our neighbourhood. Ukraine and Libya at the top of the agenda

The EU Defence Ministers gathering on 18 February and the Foreign Ministers meeting (Gymnich) on 6-7 March in Riga prepared the ground for formal decisions in the next Foreign Affairs Council on 16 March and in the European Council in June. "The meeting we are having," – stated the HR/VP on 18 February in her remarks – "is particularly important as it comes in times where our security is threatened, both at our Eastern borders and at our Southern borders".

During the discussion, Defence Ministers underlined that it is important that in June the Heads of State and Governments discuss the EU response to the security challenges with the objective of reviewing the European Security Strategy.

Concerning Ukraine, on 6 – 7 March the 28 Ministers for Foreign Affairs stressed the necessity for immediate implementation of the Minsk Agreement, which calls for a ceasefire and withdrawal of illegal weapons. They also agreed that, in order to monitor the implementation of the Agreement, OSCE capacity must be strengthened. “We insisted on the fact," - said Federica Mogherini in her remarks – "that we need to have more effective humanitarian support and access to the West and also to the East of Ukraine”. The EU is already financially supporting Ukraine and cooperation is getting closer also on security sector reform. The EU recently launched EUAM Ukraine, a CSDP Advisory Mission which is supporting the government to implement the reform of the Civilian Security Sector.

The Ministers also addressed developments in Libya. “The very fact that the talks are taking place and are moving forward is definitely a very positive sign” – said Federica Mogherini. The EU is investing a lot in this process. On 9 March the EU hosted in Brussels a meeting of Libyan businessmen from all across the country. After the event, Federica Mogherini congratulated “the large number of business people who were present for showing their commitment to dialogue.” Without a secure and stable environment, there can be no economic development in Libya. “The EU" – continued the HR/VP – "stands ready to support other initiatives that can accompany the political dialogue with the involvement of Libyan civil society.” “A meeting of Libyan municipalities will also be hosted by the EU in Brussels" – she said -. "All possible support, all possible forms of support, including also missions or operations could be explored in the coming days.”

Pia Stjernvall, the new Head of EU Police Mission in Afghanistan is an experienced Finnish diplomat. She will lead the Mission in a challenging environment and ensure that it will fulfil its promises to the Afghans. Below some extracts from her interview.

What are your thoughts today on 16 February as you start your tour as Head of Mission?

“[…] we have a great team of dedicated experts at EUPOL and I’m very much looking forward to working with them as well as our colleagues in Brussels and international partners here in Afghanistan.”

The new EU crisis management Mission started its activities three months ago. Its mandate is to provide support to the Ukrainian government on the Civilian Security Sector reform. The Mission operates in the context of tightening EU-Ukraine relations and in a politically challenging environment.

EUAM Ukraine, was launched on 1 December 2014 under the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). The Mission will provide advice to the Ukrainian authorities on the Civilian Security Sector Reform.

During its first meeting on 15 January 2015, the EU-Ukraine Association Council acknowledged the importance of intensifying EU support to the political and economic reform process in Ukraine.

“The advisors are at the heart of the Mission” – said the Head of Mission Kálmán Mizsei. “We will work in Kyiv and in the oblasts”. The Mission currently counts 55 members, but will step up to 174 in the coming months. In the first three months EUAM Ukraine got more and higher level recognition as an actor in the civilian security sector reform.

The reform process currently wraps itself in a difficult environment subscribed by the critical situation in the East and the overall precarious economic situation. Nevertheless the political will to move forward is there. The assistance requests that Kiev sent to the Brussels indicates that Ukrainian authorities are committed to the Civilian Security Sector reform. On the other side, with EUAM the EU is showing its readiness to support and be actively involved.

The overall European effort to Ukraine is to be seen in the context of the Association Agreement. There is no other Eastern Partnership country, with which the EU has such close ties as with Ukraine. The agreement is unprecedented in terms of number of areas covered and level of commitments. The common ground of such close political relations is common values and principles: democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law.

The EU Police Mission in the Palestinian Territories (EUPOL COPPS) has a new Head of Mission: Rodolf Mauget. Under his command, the EU Mission will support the Palestinian State building.

On 17th February the Political and Security Committee appointed Rodolf Mauget as Head of EU crisis management Mission, EUPOL COPPS. “I am honoured," - explained Rodolf Mauget – "to have been appointed by the Political and Security Committee as the next Head of the EUPOL COPPS CSDP Mission in the Palestinian territories.

I have had the good fortune to serve this region for the past 10 years and trust that my experience and understanding of the challenges and issues likely to be faced, will ensure that the excellent support to and relations with our Palestinian counterparts in the Ministry of Interior, the Police and the wider Criminal Justice institutions continues at pace. Having served here as Deputy Head of Mission, supported by an outstanding EUPOL COPPS team, I already enjoy the full cooperation of the EU family, plus Canada, Norway and Turkey, together with our other international community partners, and I look forward to continuing and developing these relationships, which will be key as we embrace the opportunities and challenges that a new mandate would provide, beyond June of this year.” 

EUPOL COPPS is a European Union Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) civilian mission, based in the West Bank. Established in 2006, it forms part of the wider EU efforts to support Palestinian state building, in the context of peace and based on a two-State solution. The EU Mission assists the Palestinian Authority in building its institutions, for a future Palestinian State, focused on security and justice sector reform.

Federica Mogherini visited EUFOR Althea headquarters at Camp Butmir, as part of her visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

On 25 February, the HR/VP Federica Mogherini visited EUFOR Althea headquarters at Camp Butmir, as part of her visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The HR/VP was welcomed by a guard of honour and then attended a brief on EUFOR’s Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina given by the Head of Mission, Major General Johann Luif. 

 The Senior National Representatives of all 22 Troop -Contributing Nations were also in attendance.

Read more: http://eeas.europa.eu/csdp/missions-and-operations/althea-bih/news/20150226_en.htm

On the International Women's Day, Federica Mogherini announces new opportunities for Afghan women in the EU institutions as well as a new programme for civil society.

On 8 March, the International Women Day, the HR/VP Federica Mogherini announced a number of new initiatives to promote Afghan women in leadership positions and gender equality in Afghanistan.

"The last thirteen years have been a time of change for Afghanistan. Positive change." – said Federica Mogherini -.

"Girls go to school. Women go to vote and are elected. […] We have to continue improving Afghan lives and in particular Afghani women lives. […] Afghanistan needs women leaders: judges, politicians, economists, opinion leaders. Women to look up to. Women leaders are needed to address the legacy of discrimination against Afghan women; to ensure that their constitutional rights are respected; that their value in society is recognised; that horrific violence for outdated notions of honour is brought to an end. These new programmes will help prepare a new generation of Afghan women to take up leadership positions in the Afghanistan of tomorrow."

The EU will offer several training programmes to young Afghan women. This offer will include internships in various EU institutions, training on public administration at the dedicated European institutes and longer term intakes, as part of a new exchange programme. In the next five years, in response to specific requests, dozens of Afghan women will be able to benefit from these programmes.

Read more: http://www.eupol-afg.eu/node/550