Council conclusions on the Activation of the Operations Centre for the Horn of Africa 3142th FOREIGN AFFAIRS Council meeting
BRUSSELS, Kingdom of Belgium, January 23, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The Council adopted the following conclusions:
1. "In the context of the Strategic Framework for the Horn of Africa, the EU is conducting two military operations – EUNAVFOR Atalanta and EUTM Somalia – and has commenced
operational planning to launch a civilian mission to strengthen regional maritime capacities in
Somalia and in the wider Horn of Africa region. The simultaneous conduct of three CSDP
actions in the region will require an enhanced level of coordination and interaction, including
between military and civilian actors. In this regard, the activation of the Operations Center
will contribute to reinforcing the EU's comprehensive approach that mobilizes the different
tools at the EU's disposal and to improving the performance of the existing EU CSDP
structures and of its missions and operations.
2. To this end, and recalling its Conclusions of 1 December 2011, the Council agrees to activate
the EU Operations Centre, in accordance with its Terms of Reference, for the Horn of Africa
operations, subject to a Council Decision to be adopted as soon as possible. The Operations
Centre will inter alia provide direct support to the Civilian Operations Commander for the
operational planning and conduct of the RMCB Mission; provide support to the EUTM
Mission Commander and enhance strategic coordination between the Mission and other
CSDP actions in the Horn of Africa; strengthen civ-mil synergies; liaise with Operation
Atalanta; and facilitate interaction between the mission/operations and the Brussels-based
structures. The Council welcomes the intention of the Member States to provide personnel to
the Operations Centre including for its leadership.
3. The Council calls for the PSC to keep under regular review all relevant aspects of the
Operations Centre."