The ESDP institutional framework

1. The ESDP institutional framework

2. The Helsinki institutional structure- the HR for CFSP/ Secretary General of the Council • The High Representative for CFSP (the Treaty of Amsterdam, 1997): role, staff and budget • The HR/SG personal cabinet • The Policy Planning and Early Warning Unit/ Policy Unit- 20 advisers drawn from the MSs, the Commission, the Council Secretariat, one military officer with WEU/NATO expertise; analysis and policy advise • The European Commissioner for External Relations- unspecified relationship with the HR

3. The Helsinki institutional structure- the Political and Security Committee /COPS/ • Institutionalised under the amended Article 25 of the Treaty of Nice (2001) • Composition: national representative at senior/ ambassadorial level; meets twice a week in Brussels • Functions: • Monitors and analyses the international situation in the areas covered by the CFSP • Forward planning and policy formulation • Gives policy advice to the Council • Monitors the implementation of the agreed policies • In the event of Union’s crisis management operation exercises political control and strategic direction • Plays major role in consulting with NATO and third countries involved in EU operations

4. The Helsinki institutional structure- the Military Committee of the European Union /EUMC/ • Composition: the Chiefs of Defence of the MSs; meets at least biannually; permanently represented by military delegates who normally are double-hatted with each nation’s NATO’s representative; the EUMC Chairman is a four-star officer on appointment • Function: • To give military advice and to make recommendations though COPS to the Council • To provide military direction to the EUMS • The Chairman attends the Council meetings when decisions with military implications are to be taken • For the duration of a military crisis management mission monitors the military operations and its members sit or are represented in the Committee of the Contributors • The Chairman participates as appropriate in COPS and in NATO’s Military Committee meetings; has close working relationship with the HR-CFSP

5. The Helsinki institutional structure- the Military Staff of the European Union /EUMS/ • Composition- a body attached to the HR-CFSP; consists of 100-150 personnel, seconded from the MSs; headed by a three-star flag officer • Function: • Early warning • Situation analysis • Military aspects of strategic planning in a crisis management situation, including identification of European and multinational forces • Acts as strategic operational HQ; offers effective military support during the strategic planning phase of ‘Petersberg’ crisis management operations

6. The Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability (CPCC) • Composition: the CPCC is a part of the Council Secretariat; permanent structure under the political control and strategic direction of the Political and Security Committee and the overall authority of the High Representative • Function: - responsible for an autonomous operational conduct of civilian ESDP operations • ensures the effective planning and conduct of civilian ESDP crisis management operations • the proper implementation of all mission-related tasks.

7. Decision-making procedure • Political responsibility lies with the European Council • The EUMC, on the request of COPS evaluates the strategic options and issues Initiating Directive to the Director General of EUMS to draw up military options • EUMC evaluated the military options and together with military advice forwards to COPS strategic military options for the conduct of crisis management operation • The Council selects a military option and authorises an Initial Planning Directive for Operation Commander • The Operation Commander develops a Concept of Operations (CONOPS) and draws up a draft Operation Plan (OPLAN) and operational planning documents, technical documents (Communication and Information Systems, Status of Forces Agreement, Rules of Engagement, etc.) • Operational planning and command: military strategic operational HQs, theatre and component HQs

8. Procedures for selection of operational HQs • The Berlin Plus procedure- with recourse to NATO assets and capabilities • SHAPE strategic operational HQs • DSACEUR- operational commander • CJTF- theatre and component HQs • The Nation Framework Concept- a MS is designated a framework nation • National operational HQ facilities, multinationalisation • Theatre and components HQs on an ad hoc basis

9. Institutional structures- problems and implications • Cells and units- duplication of work and overlapping functions • PPEWU (Policy Unit) and the EUMS • The WEU/ EU Institute for Security Studies • Political and policy Committees • PoCo- MFA’s Political Directors and COREPER • The GAC- CFSP and CESDP agenda • COPS and COREPER • Modes of policy-making: intergovernmental design and process and ‘supranational intergovernmentalism’ • Initiative (national capitals) and coordination (COREPER and Council Secretariat) • Brussels- based intergovernmental mechanism- four clusters of permanent national representatives (COREPER, COPS, Policy Unit, EUMS)