"Civilian CSDP Missions concentrate on capacity building through advising and mentoring. Thus the Missions form an essential part of the integrated EU effort to build state and societal resilience where deployed. The EU position is that strong and accountable rule of law institutions, underscored by good governance, increase stability and reduces vulnerability to hybrid threats."  Ivo Gombala, Head of Section at the CPCC, the operational headquarter of the EU civilian Missions, describes in an interview with the web portal European Western Balkans how the civilian CSDP Missions currently work to strengthen the rule of law in fragile environments.

While acknowledging challenges to deploy rapidly civilian Missions in order to respond to a crisis as and to meet the expectations of our partners’ countries, Gombala points out to the progress made. "Responsiveness is one of our priority development areas. And we have seen first positive results: The newest civilian CSDP Mission, the EU Advisory Mission for Security Sector Reform in Iraq was launched just one month after the EU Foreign Ministers decision to establish a Mission to answer positively a request by the Iraqi government for support in their civilian security sector reform."

Participation in civilian CSDP Missions demonstrates that a state is willing to respond to crises and to promote stability and peace. Ivo Gombala reminds that this contributes to a positive image of one's country and forms "a clear and readable business card".

Read the full interview.

The interview was conducted on the sidelines of the conference “Serbia’s participation in EU civilian Missions“. The conference, held on 14-15 December 2017 in Belgrade, as part of the project “Development of Serbia’s National Capabilities for Civilian Contributions to Peace Support Operations”.