Stockholm, 27 February 2023 (TDI): The committee for Civilian Aspects of Crisis Management of the European Union (EU) visited Sweden on 22-24 February. Several rounds of discussion were held to strengthen the EU civilian crisis management mission.
The committee is comprised of representatives of the EU member states. It deals with upgrading existing and developing new strategies for civilian management.
Currently, there are 12 EU civilian crisis management missions going on. The missions include Ukraine, Georgia, Somalia, and Iraq. The most recent mission was launched in Armenia on 20th February.
The EU is also engaged with nine in-progress military crisis management missions and operations. The Swedish delegates on the committee expressed that the EU’s missions and operations aim to help enhance the security and safety in host counties.
The foremost priority of the Swedish presidency is to exhibit leadership capabilities and develop a new plan of action for the crisis management package.
The matters of rapid deployment of mission and flexibility in the adaptation of new situations came into discussion. The committee discussed strategies to improve timely and swift responses to crisis situations.
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Among the agenda of meetings, the committee also discussed providing more personnel by European Union member states for the missions and operations.
Sweden has deployed 100 people to EU civilian missions. It is one of the member states to provide the most personnel on absolute terms and per capita. Sweden encouraged the rest of the member states to provide more personnel for the missions.
The Committee concluded the first day of the meeting by visiting one of the Swedish Coast Guard’s largest ships. The Coast Guard ship provides most of the Civilian personnel and equipment for civilian missions.
The committee met with the Swedish Armed Forces onboard a Combat Boat 90. The Swedish Armed Forces are also responsible for providing military personnel to EU military missions and operations.
The committee emphasized civil-military cooperation as its plays a key role in the success of missions and operations.
The committee met Crown Princess Victoria, on its third and final day in Sweden. Both parties exchanged views on enhancing the capabilities of civilian missions.
They also expressed the importance of such missions in achieving the EU’s foreign and security policy goals.
The visit was concluded with the Committee meeting representatives of six Swedish Government agencies tasked with providing civilian personnel for the EU civilian crisis management mission.
The committee was briefed about the working of these agencies and matters of Secondment. The visit rounded off on a high note of contributing to European and international peace and security.
