The Interconnection between the European Security and Defence Policy and the Balkans

Stability in the European Union (EU) and the Balkans are tightly interconnected. Following the re‐emergence of ethnic conflicts and division in the Balkans, the EU increasingly has assumed greater responsibility in shaping post‐Yugoslav security. Indeed, in the context of the growing scope of the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP), expectations are rising. As this article points out, however, major problems persist. There is a need to define more substantive priorities and mould a coherent policy. Many lessons can be learned from previous Balkan experiences, both in terms of achieving coherent operational success on the ground and by combining Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and Community instruments. This article draws on such lessons to elaborate criteria for the deployment and foreign engagement of ESDP missions. Notes [1] In FYROM: PROXIMA and EUPAT police missions, as well as CONCORDIA military mission; in BiH: EUPM police mission and ALTHEA military mission; in Kosovo: EUPT planning for the rule of law mission. [2] The Srebrenica massacre in July 1995 in BiH under the command of General Mladic resulted in over 8,000 people killed in a UN‐protected 'safe area' and in the presence of 400 armed Dutch peacekeepers. [3] Radio Free Europe, Radio Liberty (4 October 2006). [4] UNODC indicates that an increase of 109 per cent of opiates (heroin, morphine, opium) seized in SEE in 2004. The trafficking of women and children primarily for prostitution is also considered on the increase by IOM. The statistics of trafficking of human beings are not unified, but vary from 200,000 to 500,000, 78 per cent of which originate from SEE (interviews and websites of Council of Europe and IOM; United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Citation2006b). [5] Interview with EU official. [6] Endorsed by the European Council of Brussels on 13 December 2003. [7] Council joint action 2005/889/CFSP, December 2005 EU BAM Rafah. [8] Informal discussions with NATO officials. [9] Council Regulations (EC, Euratom) 1605/2002 on the Financial Regulations applicable to the general budget of the European Communities. [10] Albania, Argentina, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Morocco, New Zealand, Norway, Romania, Switzerland, Turkey and FYROM. EU Council Secretariat fact sheet ATH/07 December 2005, EU military operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Operation EUFOR ‐ ALTHEA). [11] Berlin plus arrangements establish principles of collaboration between the EU and NATO, such as assured EU access to NATO assets and capabilities as well as adaptation of NATO defence planning to facilitate the availability of forces for EU operations. [12] Council Joint Action (2006/304/CFSP) of 10 April 2006

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