How Europe works for peace and security

Brokering a 
deal in the 
Balkans

One of the most important successes 
of European foreign policy to date has been its work brokering a solution to 
the negotiations between Serbia and Kosovo in spring 2013. In 2008, Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia, but its international status remained unclear. After decades of strife and conflict, in a historical step both sides reached an agreement. A normalisation of relations is a crucial precondition 
for both countries to begin negotiations to accede to the EU.

The EU supports projects to stabilise ­society in a total of seven Balkan states. The EU mission to buttress the rule 
of law in Kosovo, EULEX Kosovo, started back in 2008. It supports the government of the multi-ethnic country in ­setting up its own democratic and ­constitutional structures, such as the judiciary, police and customs agencies. Germany has sent both police officers and civilian experts, including the head of the mission until September 2014.

Success against 
pirates on the Horn 
of Africa

EU NAVFOR Somalia – Operation 
Atalanta is the EU mission that began off the Somali coast in 2008 to protect international merchant shipping from pirate attacks and also secure humanitarian supplies to Somalia. Germany 
has made a considerable contribution to the mission from the outset.

According to a survey by the International Maritime Bureau, Somali pirates carried out 176 attacks in 2011. In the first half of 2014 only two attacks were recorded, a success partly attributable to Atalanta. As a result, it has also been possible to deliver over 900,000 tonnes of food to Somalia. The piracy is a consequence of the failure of state structures after the civil war. That is why the EU also supports setting up civilian and governance structures. The EUCAP Nestor mission to East Africa, for example, trains professional coast guards to en­able the countries on the Gulf of Aden to soon be able to take security matters into their own hands.

Establishing a police force and judiciary in Afghanistan

Since 2007, the EU has been supporting Afghanistan in setting up its own police force and reforming its judiciary. The civilian EUPOL Afghanistan mission aims to train police forces in accordance with the principles of the rule of law. Thus, for example, a police academy was set up in the capital city with EUPOL Afghanistan support. It has meanwhile been handed over and is being used for the training of criminal investigation officers. On behalf of the EU, judges and public prosecutors are also helping set up the public prosecution section of the judiciary, promoting adherence to human rights and the foundation of an independent judiciary.

Germany has contributed some 40 experts and police advisers to the EU police mission in Afghanistan, which means it provides one of the largest contingents of the total of 300 personnel. Eventually, 
responsibility for the security of all of 
Afghanistan will be in the hands of the 
Afghan government. The mission will support the transition in policing until the end of 2016.