Vincenzo Coppola, the new EEAS Director for Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability/Civilian Operations Commander, assumed his functions in Brussels today, 17 September. Mr. Coppola most recently served as Deputy Commanding General of the Italian Carabinieri.

EUCAP Somalia Head of Mission Maria-Cristina Stepanescu and the whole EUCAP team congratulate our new Civilian Operations Commander and wish him success in his important work. The Civilian Operation Commander exercises command and control at strategic level for the operational planning and conduct of all civilian crisis management operations.

“I look forward to apply my professional experience in international crisis-management and in the wider European security and defence environment to benefit in my new task as EU Civilian Operations Commander. This at a time when the world increasingly looks to the European Union as a responsible partner also in the field of security.

The civilian CSDP Missions are an essential feature of EU foreign policy, which is reflected in the current ambition of Member States to strengthen our civilian CSDP capabilities”, says Mr. Coppola.