F1Council Decision 2012/173/CFSP

of 23 March 2012

on the activation of the EU Operations Centre for the Common Security and Defence Policy missions and operation in the Horn of Africa and in the Sahel region

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Articles 42(4) and 43(2) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas:

(1)

On 17 December 2004, the European Council endorsed the proposals allowing for the establishment of an operations centre and its terms of reference.

(2)

On 18 June 2007, the Council approved the Guidelines for Command and Control Structure for the EU Civilian Operations in Crisis Management.

(3)
On 7 April 2008, by Decision 2008/298/CFSP1 the Council amended Decision 2001/80/CFSP of 22 January 2001 on the establishment of the Military Staff of the European Union2 to specify, inter alia, the tasks of the Military Staff of the European Union (EUMS) in relation to the EU Operations Centre.
(4)
On 10 November 2008, the Council adopted Joint Action 2008/851/CFSP3 establishing operation Atalanta with the purpose of deterring piracy off the Somali coast.
(5)
On 15 February 2010, the Council adopted Decision 2010/96/CFSP4 on an EU military mission to contribute to the training of Somali security forces (EUTM Somalia).
(6)

On 14 November 2011, the Council adopted a Strategic Framework for the Horn of Africa to guide the EU’s engagement in the region.

(7)

On 1 December 2011, the Council agreed to accelerate planning for the activation of the EU Operations Centre for the Horn of Africa Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions and operation, in accordance with its terms of reference.

(8)

On 16 December 2011, the Council agreed the Crisis Management Concept for the Regional Maritime Capacity Building (RMCB) mission, as a civilian CSDP mission with military expertise.

(9)

On 23 January 2012, the Council agreed that the EU Operations Centre should be activated for the Horn of Africa CSDP missions and operation.

(10)

The EU Operations Centre should facilitate coordination and improve synergies amongst the Horn of Africa CSDP missions and operation, in the context of the Strategic Framework for the Horn of Africa and in close liaison with the European Union Special Representative (EUSR) for the Horn of Africa.

(11)

The EU Operations Centre should be supported by the existing structures of the EUMS, reinforced by the EUTM Somalia Support Element and the Atalanta Liaison Team.

(12)

Bearing in mind the requirement to optimise its support for all CSDP missions and operations, the EUMS should provide support to the EU Operations Centre within its means and capabilities,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: