HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"L 89/66
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
27.3.2012
DECISIONS
COUNCIL DECISION 2012/173/CFSP
of 23 March 2012
on the activation of the EU Operations Centre for the Common Security and Defence Policy
missions and operation in the Horn of Africa
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
(7) On
1
December
2011,
the
Council
agreed
to
accelerate
planning for the activation of the EU Operations Centre
for the Horn of Africa Common Security and Defence
Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in
Policy (CSDP) missions and operation, in accordance
particular Articles 42(4) and 43(2) thereof,
with its terms of reference.
Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of
(8) On
16
December
2011,
the
Council
agreed
the
Crisis
the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,
Management Concept for the Regional Maritime
Capacity Building (RMCB) mission, as a civilian CSDP
mission with military expertise.
Whereas:
(1) On
17
December
2004,
the
European
Council
endorsed (9) On
23
January
2012,
the
Council
agreed
that
the
EU
the proposals allowing for the establishment of an oper
Operations Centre should be activated for the Horn of
ations centre and its terms of reference.
Africa CSDP missions and operation.
(2)
On 18 June 2007, the Council approved the Guidelines
(10) The
EU
Operations
Centre
should
facilitate
coordination
for Command and Control Structure for the EU Civilian
and improve synergies amongst the Horn of Africa CSDP
Operations in Crisis Management.
missions and operation, in the context of the Strategic
Framework for the Horn of Africa and in close liaison
with the European Union Special Representative (EUSR)
(3) On
7
April
2008,
by
Decision
2008/298/CFSP
( 1 ) the
for the Horn of Africa.
Council amended Decision 2001/80/CFSP of 22 January
2001 on the establishment of the Military Staff of the
European Union ( 2 ) to specify, inter alia, the tasks of the
Military Staff of the European Union (EUMS) in relation
(11) The
EU
Operations
Centre
should
be
supported
by
the
to the EU Operations Centre.
existing structures of the EUMS, reinforced by the EUTM
Somalia Support Element and the Atalanta Liaison Team.
(4) On
10
November
2008,
the
Council
adopted
Joint
Action 2008/851/CFSP
( 3 ) establishing operation
(12) Bearing
in
mind
the
requirement
to
optimise
its
support
Atalanta with the purpose of deterring piracy off the
for all CSDP missions and operations, the EUMS should
Somali coast.
provide support to the EU Operations Centre within its
means and capabilities,
(5) On
15
February
2010,
the
Council
adopted
Decision
2010/96/CFSP ( 4 ) on an EU military mission to
contribute to the training of Somali security forces
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
(EUTM Somalia).
Article 1
(6) On
14
November
2011,
the
Council
adopted
a
Strategic
Framework for the Horn of Africa to guide the EU’s
Activation of the EU Operations Centre
engagement in the region.
1. The
EU
Operations
Centre
shall
be
activated
in
support
of
the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions and
( 1 ) OJ L 102, 12.4.2008, p. 25.
operation in the Horn of Africa, namely Operation Atalanta,
( 2 ) OJ L 27, 30.1.2001, p. 7.
( 3 ) OJ L 301, 12.11.2008, p. 33.
EUTM Somalia, and the planned civilian CSDP mission on
( 4 ) OJ L 44, 19.2.2010, p. 16.
Regional Maritime Capacity Building (RMCB).

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EN
27.3.2012 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
89/67
2. The
activation
of
the
EU
Operations
Centre
shall
be
3. The
Head
of
the
EU
Operations
Centre
shall
exercise
without prejudice to the respective military and civilian chains
authority over the staff of the EU Operations Centre for all
of command of the missions and the operation, referred to in
issues related to the mandate and tasks of the EU Operations
paragraph 1.
Centre.
Article 2
4. The
Head
of
the
EU
Operations
Centre
shall
be
responsible for responding to the requests addressed to the
Mandate and tasks
EU Operations Centre by the Civilian Operation Commander,
1. The
EU
Operations
Centre
shall
provide
support
in
the the Operation Commander for Operation Atalanta, the EUTM
field of operational planning and conduct of Operation
Mission Commander, and CMPD. He shall ensure the proper
Atalanta, EUTM Somalia, and the future civilian CSDP mission
functioning of the EU Operations Centre and coordinate the
on Regional Maritime Capacity Building (RMCB), with a view to
efficient use of its capacities. The final responsibility for oper
increasing efficiency, coherence and synergies. In this framework
ational planning documents and decisions on the conduct of
the EU Operations Centre shall help facilitate information
the missions and the operation shall remain respectively with
exchange and improve coordination and strengthen civil-
the Civilian Operation Commander, the EUTM Mission
military synergies.
Commander, and the Operation Commander for Operation
Atalanta.
2. The
EU
Operations
Centre
shall
perform
the
following
tasks:
5. Within the limits of his responsibility, the Head of the EU
Operations Centre shall regularly report to EUMC and to PSC.
(a) to provide, using its military expertise and specialised
Article 4
planning expertise, direct support to the Civilian Operations
Commander for the operational planning and conduct of
Staff
the RMCB mission;
1. The
Human
resources
of
the
EU
Operations
Centre
shall
comprise:
(b) to provide support to the EUTM Mission Commander and
enhance strategic coordination between EUTM Somalia and
the other CSDP mission and operation in the Horn of
(a) staff provided by the EUMS;
Africa;
(b) the EUTM Support Element;
(c) to liaise with Operation Atalanta;
(c) the Atalanta Liaison Team;
(d) to provide support to the Crisis Management and Planning
Directorate (CMPD), at its request, in its strategic planning
(d) staff seconded by Member States.
for the CSDP missions and operation in the Horn of Africa;
2. The human resources put at the disposal of the EU Oper
(e) to facilitate interaction between the Horn of Africa CSDP
ations Centre shall cover all military expertise required to
missions and operation and the Brussels-based structures;
implement its mandate and tasks properly on the basis of an
implementation plan presented to the PSC and shall be subject
to regular review. The precise definition of the expertise
(f) to facilitate coordination and improve synergies amongst
required shall be the responsibility of the Head of the EU Oper
Operation Atalanta, EUTM Somalia, and RMCB, in the
ations Centre, in close consultation with the Operation and
context of the Horn of Africa Strategy and in liaison with
Mission Commanders, the Civilian Operation Commander,
the European Union Special Representative for the Horn of
and the EUMS.
Africa.
3. All
staff
shall
respect
the
security
principles
and
minimum
Article 3
standards established by Council Decision 2011/292/EU of
31 March 2011 on the security rules for protecting EU clas
Head of the EU Operations Centre
sified information ( 1 ).
1. Captain
(Navy)
Ad VAN DER LINDE is hereby appointed
Head of the EU Operations Centre for a period of two years,
which may be renewed if the Council so decides.
Article 5
Organisation
2. The
Head
of
the
EU
Operations
Centre
shall
carry
out
his The EU Operations Centre shall be organised along functional
functions under the political control and strategic direction of
responsibilities corresponding to the requirements of the CSDP
the Political and Security Committee (PSC), and, as appropriate,
missions and operation which it supports.
under the military direction of the European Union Military
Committee (EUMC).
( 1 ) OJ L 141, 27.5.2011, p. 17.

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L 89/68
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
27.3.2012
Article 6
budget of the European External Action Service, subject to the
applicable financial rules.
Support by the EUMS
The EUMS shall, within its means and capabilities, provide
Article 8
support to the EU Operations Centre in accordance with its
terms of reference through:
Review
The mandate, tasks, functioning and financing of the EU Oper
(a) ensuring availability and readiness of the staff, facilities and
ations Centre, in the context of the overall EU crisis
equipment of the EU Operations Centre;
management structures, shall be reviewed on 24 September
2012 and thereafter at regular intervals. This Decision may be
(b) maintaining, updating and replacing the equipment of the
revised as appropriate.
EU Operations Centre;
Article 9
(c) maintaining the premises used by the EU Operations Centre.
Entry into force and duration
Article 7
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.
Financing
It shall apply for an initial period of two years.
1. The
staff
provided
by
EUMS
shall
be
financed
in
accordance with the rules applicable to the EUMS.
Done at Brussels, 23 March 2012.
2. The staff provided by Member States shall be seconded
national experts on free secondment.
For the Council
3. Travel
and
other
costs
not
covered
by
the
budgets
of
the
The President
respective CSDP mission and operation shall be borne by the
C. ASHTON

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