Council conclusions on the Activation of the Operations Centre for the Horn of Africa 3142th FOREIGN AFFAIRS Council meeting

By European Council

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."