On 19 November, the Security Policy Directors of the EU Member States and EU services met for the third Annual Review Conference of the Civilian CSDP Compact in Brussels, hosted by the European External Action Service and the Slovenian Presidency. The meeting was an opportunity to assess to review progress made on the Compact commitments and to discuss the way ahead.

All Member States work towards more capable, effective and joined up civilian missions. Cooperation with Justice and Home Affairs actors, such as Frontex, has been strengthened. The number of seconded experts to missions has increased. Together with the Centre of Excellence for Civilian Crisis Management in Berlin, the EU has recently developed a pilot mentoring program for women in civilian CSDP Missions and a dedicated gender strategy and action plan to improve the representation of women in missions.

Member States agreed to step up their contribution to civilian CSDP, including by increasing deployments to EU civilian missions, with an emphasis on increasing the number of women on all levels, and better national coordination. As part of the Strategic Compass, Member States agreed to start elaborating orientations on the way ahead after early summer 2023 when the Civilian CSDP Compact shall be fully delivered.

Background

On 19 November 2018, EU Member States agreed on an ambitious Civilian CSDP Compact to make civilian Missions more capable, more effective, flexible and responsive and more joined up with other EU instruments in light of the changed security environment. The EEAS and the European Commission presented a Joint Action Plan for the implementation of the Compact in May 2019. The Joint Action Plan is complemented by National Implementation Plans drafted by the Member States to ensure full implementation of the Compact by early summer 2023.

The European Union deploys eleven civilian Missions under the framework of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). The civilian CSDP Missions promote stability and build resilience through strengthening rule of law in fragile environments. Civilian experts advise and train local partners in Ukraine, Georgia, Kosovo, Libya, the Palestinian Territories (Ramallah and Rafah), Central African Republic, Niger, Mali, Somalia and Iraq. Some 2,100 staff work in the field with a further 120 deployed in headquarters. The total cost of the civilian CSDP Missions is currently around €281 million/year. The mandates of the civilian CSDP Missions are agreed unanimously by the Member States of the European Union.

More information:

The Compact to strengthen civilian CSDPThe eleven civilian CSDP Missions