The Political and Security Committee visits Somalia

BRUSSELS, Kingdom of Belgium, June 12, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Today, the European Union's Political and Security Committee (PSC), the key body that contributes to define and monitor the EU's crisis response as part of the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy, made its first visit to Somalia. The visit underlined the commitment of the EU to supporting political progress in Somalia and to supporting its people, as well as the extensive support for stabilisation in Somalia both in political and security terms.

The PSC Ambassadors met with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and the Federal Government.

They welcomed the progress made in the political and reconciliation processes and in the field of security and development, and discussed the challenges the Government is still facing to rebuild the country. The EU PSC reiterated the EU's continued support to creating peace, stability and prosperity in Somalia and in the wider Horn region. They encouraged continued consolidation of the peace and governance achievements. President Hassan Sheikh and the PSC Ambassadors underscored that the "New Deal for Somalia Conference", which will be jointly hosted by Somalia and the EU in Brussels in September this year, will provide a unique opportunity to galvanise the international community around the New Deal and the Government's vision up to 2016.

The representatives of the PSC also visited the EU Training Mission that recently moved part of its activities from Uganda to Somalia.

Security remains a key aspect for stability in Somalia and the EUTM operation's move to

Mogadishu is part of the paradigm shift of engaging inside Somalia and in close partnership with the authorities.

Background

The PSC contributes to defining the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and monitors its implementation. It also exercises political and strategic control of the EU's crisis management operations. The PSC is permanently chaired by the European External Action Service (EEAS) and comprises ambassadors from the 27 EU Member States.