DOCSLIB.ORG

Spotlight Europe # 2009/01 – January 2009

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Spotlight Europe # 2009/01 – January 2009 spotlight europe # 2009/01 – January 2009 Kosovo 2009: Uncertain Future Johanna Deimel and Armando García Schmidt The status of Kosovo continues to controversial. Pristina and Belgrade are now even more at loggerheads than they were before the Kosovar Decla- ration of Independence in February 2008. Diverging interests in the EU and the United Nations have paralyzed the work of the international community. It is clear that the EU needs a new policy with which to cre- ate stability and make for clarity. Pristina must show some responsibility if it does not wish to jeopardize the future of Kosovo. Only a few months after the Declaration of I Independence the young state of Kosovo finds itself bogged down in a fundamental crisis in which the whole issue of the sov- What has happened since ereignty of the country is at stake. In con- the Declaration of trast to what the proponents of independ- ence had planned, during the past twelve Independence? # 2009/01 months the international community has not managed to come up with a new legal The Kosovo Declaration of Independence framework for the missions on the ground. in February 2008 was preceded by lengthy The international actors continue to be and nerve-racking negotiations. The proc- bound by Security Resolution 1244 (UN- ess was set in motion by the Norwegian SCR 1244) from the year 1999. This is re- diplomat Kai Eide, who in his report to the pudiated by the young state with its claim UN Secretary General in October 2005 in- to sovereignty and the European states dicated that it was imperative to resolve which have recognized Kosovo. The result the status question. of all this is a confused state of affairs which hinders the emergence of positive The former Finnish president Martti Ahti- developments and exacerbates conflicts. saari was entrusted with the task of work- spotlight europe ing out a compromise with Serbian and puted issues, the negotiations and the ensuing endeavours of the troika (EU, Russia, U.S.) ended inconclusively at the end of 2007. Serbia exercised its veto rights against every step which might have led to the resolution of the status question and ultimately to inde- pendence. At the same time the political process, once begun, could no longer be stopped. Openly supported by the U.S. and expecting to obtain unanimous ap- proval from the EU, Pristina declared itself independent on 17 February 2008. On 15 June the first constitution of the new state entered into force. Both the Declaration of Independence and the constitution of the Republic of Kosovo refer to the Ahtisaari plan and its im- plementation. Before the Declaration of Independence 2 the EU had given the impression of be- Page ing united on the issue. As late as 4 February 2008 the 27 EU member states emphasized that they were will- ing to assume a leading role if Kosovo agreed to implement the Ahtisaari plan. It was unanimously agreed to despatch the EULEX rule of law mission and an EU special representative for Kosovo. Yet since the Kosovar Declaration of In- dependence the EU is no longer in Kosovo 2009: Uncertain Future Future Uncertain 2009: Kosovo agreement on the issue. Whereas 53 UN states, including the neighbouring states of Albania, Croatia, Macedonia and Montenegro, have recognized Kos- ovo, five EU states have still not done so–Greece, Romania, Slovakia, Spain and Cyprus. They refuse to recognize # 2009/01 Kosovo for reasons associated with do- mestic policy issues and international Kosovar representatives. In March 2007 legal reservations. Ahtisaari presented a plan which contains fundamental guarantees for the Serbian The international community also remains minority in Kosovo and envisages condi- divided on the issue. The expected wave of tional independence for Kosovo under in- recognition from other regions, including ternational supervision. the Islamic and Latin American countries, has hitherto failed to materialize. Russia, Although the Ahtisaari package is the net which until the middle of 2006 still sup- result of lengthy negotiations and contains ported the views of the Balkans Contact detailed compromises with regard to dis- Group (Germany, France, the United King- spotlight europe dom, Italy, U.S., and Russia) on the nego- bids Serbian troop movements in Kosovo tiations under Ahtisaari, is using Kosovo and in the border areas adjoining the for- to further its global political ambitions. mer Serbian province. Despite the fact that it has counteracted its own arguments based on international In practice Serbia continues to resist the law by its recognition of South Ossetia and new realities. It simply refused to cooper- Abkhasia, in the United Nations Security ate with the European EULEX rule of law Council Moscow has blocked all attempts mission and the International Civilian Of- to re-order the legal framework for the in- fice (ICO), which were set up on the basis ternational presence in Kosovo. of the Ahtisaari plans after the Declaration of Independence. Belgrade recognizes only II the United Nations mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), which operates on the basis of UNSCR 1244. Status revisited: Belgrade has the upper hand Since June 2008 UN Secretary General Ban has been trying to find a way out of this With the backing of Moscow Belgrade is impasse. He attempted to obtain Bel- pursuing a policy aimed at bringing the grade’s support for the reconfiguration of sluggish recognition process to a complete UNMIK and the deployment of EULEX, and standstill and once again making the issue put forward six points on which Belgrade 3 of the status of Kosovo the subject of nego- should in future continue to have a say. Page tiations. Furthermore, the Serbian gov- ernment has pulled off a stroke of diplomatic genius. At the UN General Assembly on 8 October 2008 77 states, including Mon- tenegro, supported the Serbian resolution requesting the Inter- national Court of Justice at The Hague to assess the legality of Kosovo 2009: Uncertain Future Future Uncertain 2009: Kosovo Kosovo’s Declaration of Inde- pendence. Six countries, includ- ing the U.S., voted against the resolution, and 74 abstained (including the neighbouring states of Bosnia, Croatia and Macedonia). The EU member # 2009/01 states disguised their differ- ences by abstaining. The ruling of the Court is not binding. The proposals suggested that in the Ser- However, if The Hague were to decide in bian enclaves and in the north of Kosovo favour of Belgrade, states which have al- matters relating to customs, police, jus- ready recognized Kosovo would be in deep tice, transport, telecommunications, and trouble. religious and cultural heritage would con- tinue to be dealt with under the aegis of Belgrade embarked on another attempt to UNSCR 1244, whereas EULEX would oper- turn back the clock at the end of Novem- ate under the umbrella of the United Na- ber, when President Tadic called into tions, that is, of UNMIK. question the Kumanovo Treaty, which for- spotlight europe Pristina did not participate in the negotia- the Security Council gave its assent to the tions between Belgrade, New York and deployment of EULEX within the frame- Brussels. It was easy to understand why work of UNSCR 1244 and under the um- the Kosovar leader- ship should have rejected the results with which it was confronted. Kosovo was in a quandary. Acceptance of the six-point plan would have been tantamount to un- dermining its sov- ereignty. Its inter- nationally super- vised independ- ence, which is based on the Ahti- saari package and enshrined in the 4 constitution, would Page have seemed totally absurd. However, if it rejects the six- point plan, the deployment of EULEX will brella of UNMIK, which thus continues in be endangered and relations to the EU and existence. The transfer of the full mandate the United Nations strained to the limits. to EULEX and the withdrawal of UNMIK are now dependent on Belgrade. III The police in areas mainly inhabited by Serbs will continue to be under the super- Status Neutral: OSCE and vision of UNMIK structures and is thus Kosovo 2009: Uncertain Future Future Uncertain 2009: Kosovo beyond the control of Pristina. The same is UNMIK true of customs. Here again UNMIK will The UN administration found itself in a supervise the border crossings between difficult position after the Declaration of northern Kosovo and Serbia, and not the Independence, and especially after the en- government of Kosovo. In northern Mi- try into force of the constitution. The di- trovica the judiciary will remain in the lemma was due to the fact that UNSCR hands of UNMIK for up to 60 days until # 2009/01 1244, on which the mandate of UNMIK is local judges and state prosecutors working based, continued to be in existence, on the basis of UNSCR 1244, which re- whereas there is no mention of UNMIK in mains in force, and not the Kosovar consti- the Kosovar constitution. The intention tution, will start their work. had been that UNMIK would operate in Kosovo only until EULEX had become fully The OSCE will also remain. In Ban’s report operative. to the Security Council it is in fact as- signed a key role. Its members–and in this Yet things were about to turn out differ- they resemble the EU–do not agree with ently. On 26 November 2008, after Bel- regard to the status question. Yet the grade, Brussels and Ban Ki-Moon had OSCE has only a political and consultative reached agreement on the six-point plan, mandate, and not an internationally bind- spotlight europe ing one. Furthermore, the organization has Only specialists make a distinction be- to defer to its member states Russia and tween ICO and EULEX, and the status of Serbia–and is thus status-neutral.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Western Balkans | 65
    westeRn BalKans | 65 3.4 Mission Reviews Western Balkans he Western Balkans have been a testing-ground Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and Kosovo. T for a huge range of political missions since the Each of these figures also has responsibility for early 1990s. These have ranged from light-weight some sort of field presence, although these are civilian monitoring missions meant to help contain not straightforward European political missions. the Yugoslav wars to long-serving presences tasked The EUSR in BiH also serves as the Interna- with promoting good governance, fair elections, tional High Representative, answering to a Peace minority rights and economic rehabilitation. Implementation Council of fifty-five countries and These long-term presences were usually organizations.1 The EUSR in Kosovo is similarly deployed to support or replace peacekeepers. double-hatted as the International Civilian Repre- The large military forces that stabilized the region sentative (ICR, answering to a Steering Group of have now downsized, while some international 28 countries that recognize Kosovo’s sovereignty). civilian missions are likely to remain in place for a The EUSR in FYROM has also acted as the head considerable time. of the European Commission’s delegation there Today, two organizations have prominent since late 2005. political missions in the Balkans. The Organization In addition to the OSCE and EU, the UN has for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) a residual presence in the Western Balkans. The maintains field presences in Albania and all the for- UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo mer constituent parts of Yugoslavia except Slovenia (UNMIK), having had executive authority and a (its presence in Croatia, however, is now an office in large civilian police arm from 1999 to 2008, has an Zagreb and will not be discussed here).
    [Show full text]
  • Leaflet Policy Forum on Eusrs
    Policy Forum “The role and achievements of EU Special Representatives in EU foreign policy” Friday, 15 June 2012, 11.40h – 14.00h Institute for European Studies, Vrije Universiteit Brussel Since 1996, the Council of the EU has deployed over 40 EU Special Representatives (EUSRs) to various crisis regions where they are involved in the European Union’s conflict resolution efforts. They also contribute to the formulation of the EU’s policies, to the coordination of EU actors 'on the ground' and to the EU’s cooperation with other international actors in the field. While Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, initially intended to phase out the EUSRs, new officeholders have been appointed in 2011 and 2012. This demonstrates the added value of the EUSRs as a rather flexible tool in EU foreign policy. The Policy Forum focuses on the role and the achievements of the EUSRs in the implementation of the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy in the past sixteen years. It looks at their contribution to conflict resolution, their interplay with other diplomats, their institutional setting within the External Action Service and their relations with the European Commission and the EU delegations. Speakers and discussants include acting and former EUSRs and officials from the External Action Service: § Ambassador Philippe Lefort (EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia) § Ambassador Pieter Feith (International Civilian
    [Show full text]
  • Javier SOLANA
    COUNCIL OF Brussels, 16 February 2008 THE EUROPEAN UNION S060/08 Javier SOLANA, EU High Representative for the CFSP, welcomes the appointments of Pieter FEITH as EU Special Representative in Kosovo and Yves de KERMABON as Head of Mission of EULEX KOSOVO Javier SOLANA, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) made today the following statement on the decision by the Council to appoint Pieter FEITH as the EU Special Representative in Kosovo and Yves de KERMABON as EULEX KOSOVO Head of Mission. “I am very pleased that the Council has decided on the basis of my recommendation to appoint Pieter Feith as EU Special Representative in Kosovo and Yves de Kermabon as Head of Mission for the rule of law mission in Kosovo, EULEX KOSOVO. These appointments further illustrate the EU's enhanced engagement in the Western Balkans. Pieter Feith will in particular offer the EU's advice and support in the political process and promote overall EU coordination in Kosovo. I have known him for a long time and we have always worked very well together. I wish him all the luck in his new position. As Head of Mission for the biggest civilian EU mission ever, Yves de Kermabon, will have a crucial role in assisting the Kosovo police and justice enforcement agencies in their progress towards European standards. He has my full trust and support and I look forward to working with him. Both have an in-depth knowledge of the region and of EU policies there." The European Council on 14 December 2007 stated the EU's readiness to assist Kosovo in the path towards sustainable stability, including by an European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) mission and a contribution to an international civilian office as part of the international presences in Kosovo.
    [Show full text]
  • State Building and Exit
    State Building and Exit The International Civilian Office and Kosovo's Supervised Independence 2008 – 2012 Cover illustration: ICR Pieter Feith in Velika Hoča/Hoça e Madhe in October 2011. Photo by Atdhe Mulla. This book is a collaborative effort of a team of ICO staff members. It is made available under the Creative Commons Attribution- NonCommercial-ShareAlike License (refer to http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/). Printed copies of the book can be ordered at cost price on the print-on- demand website www.createspace.com/4097025. Digital copies (pdf and epub) can be downloaded for free on the post-ICO website www.ico- kos.org. ISBN 978-9951-19-067-1 Pristina, Kosovo December 2012 CONTENTS Foreword by Pieter Feith v Executive Summary 1 I The Beginning 6 II The Constitution 18 III Reform and Stability 28 IV Challenges and Crises 39 V The Dual Mandate 56 VI The ICO Model 74 VII Deciding to End Supervision 85 VIII CSP Progress 2011-2012 101 IX Managing the End of Supervision 115 X Closing the Mission 129 XI Reality and Reactions 133 iv FOREWORD The International Civilian Office, which between 2008 and 2012 supervised the implementation of President Ahtisaari’s Comprehensive Proposal for the Kosovo Status Settlement,1 was an extraordinary international creation: a unique mission for a unique context in a young European state; and a mission that closed itself, in good time. The ICO was privileged to have been mandated to help implement such a clear and well-balanced blueprint for state-building as the Ahtisaari plan.
    [Show full text]
  • Why EU Promotion Is at Odds with Successful
    EUC Working Paper No. 10 Working Paper No. 10, September 2012 Why EU promotion is at odds with successful crisis management: Public relations, news coverage, and the Aceh Monitoring Mission Stephanie Anderson Photo © Aceh Monitoring Mission ABSTRACT The EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and its accompanying Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions can be tools used to increase the international profile of the European Union. Nevertheless, CSDP missions garner little news coverage. This article argues that the very nature of the missions themselves makes them poor vehicles for EU promotion for political, institutional, and logistical reasons. By definition, they are conducted in the middle of crises, making news coverage politically sensitive. The very act of reporting could undermine the mission. Institutionally, all CSDP missions are intergovernmental, making press statements slow, overly bureaucratic, and of little interest to journalists. Logistically, the missions are often located in remote, undeveloped parts of the world, making it difficult and expensive for European and international journalists to cover. Moreover, these regions in crisis seldom have a thriving, local free press. Using the Aceh Monitoring Mission (AMM) as a case study, the author concludes that although a mission may do good, CSDP missions cannot fulfil the political function of raising the profile of the EU. The EU Centre in Singapore is a partnership of 13 EUC Working Paper No. 10 Why EU promotion is at odds with how the very nature of CSDP missions undermines successful crisis management: Public their use as a political promotion tool. relations, news coverage, and the Aceh Visibility and the CSDP: Increasing the EU’s Monitoring Mission International Prestige and Support among its Citizens2 1 STEPHANIE ANDERSON The EU’s foreign and security policy is supposed to increase its profile both at home and abroad.
    [Show full text]
  • Whole-Of-Society Peacebuilding
    Whole-of-Society Peacebuilding Edited by Mary Martin and Vesna Bojicic-Dzelilovic First published 2019 ISBN13: 978-0-367-23688-5 Chapter 6 Coordinating international interventions in complex settings. An analysis of the EU peace and state-building efforts in post-independence Kosovo Chris van der Borgh, Puck le Roy and Floor Zweerink (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) LONDON AND NEW YORK Coordinating international interventions in complex settings. An analysis of the EU peace and state-building efforts in post-independence Kosovo Chris van der Borgh, Puck le Roy and Floor Zweerink ABSTRACT This paper assesses coordination as a salient capability of interna- tional interventions in complex settings characterised by weak states, the dominance of political elites whose interest in reforms is questionable and multiple local and international stakeholders. It focuses on the challenge of integrating a range of national and international actors and multiple policy domains, assessing this operational capability in terms of a Whole-of-Society approach. Using the example of the EU’s intervention in Kosovo through the mechanisms of the EULEX mission, and the EU-facilitated Dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo, the paper argues that the EU’s impact in Kosovo was weakened by its limited ability to include and engage a broad range of local stakeholders. While a Whole-of-Society approach could address this weakness, the paper also argues that a better understanding of the context-specific opportunities and limitations placed on international organisa- tions like the EU is needed. Introduction Over the past 20 years, the EU has transformed from an actor with limited leverage to a major player in Kosovo.
    [Show full text]
  • Aldo Ajello Was Appointed EU Special Envoy for the African Great
    Pieter Feith was appointed appointed European Union Special Representative in Kosovo on 4 February 2008. His current mandate, which runs until 30 April 2011, includes the tasks of offering the EU's advice and support in the political process and of promoting overall EU political coordination in Kosovo, thereby implementing the policy objectives of the EU in Kosovo. This includes the aim of developing a stable, viable, peaceful democratic and multi- ethnic Kosovo. Mr Feith is also "doubled-hatted" as the International Civilian Representative. 1. Pieter Feith, EU Special Representative in Kosovo Mr Pieter Feith EUSR website Mission Statement - International Support for a European future The objective of the EU in Kosovo is to support and assist the Kosovo authorities in developing a stable, viable, peaceful and multi-ethnic society in Kosovo, cooperating peacefully with its neighbours. These aims are high and I believe they are rightly so. The EU will offer a multifaceted approach in assisting Kosovo's security and development. We will make use of all our political, financial and security mechanisms in a unified and coherent manner with the aim of reaching this objective. My tasks will be to assist the political process and to promote coordination of all these efforts, including by providing local political guidance to the EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo. I believe that the future of Kosovo is of immense importance to the European Union and in my role as EU Special Representative in Kosovo I will tirelessly assist the local authorities by offering the EU's advice and support. My aim is a Kosovo that is committed to the rule of law and to the protection of minorities and of cultural heritage.
    [Show full text]
  • Security Council Distr.: General 18 February 2008
    United Nations S/2008/106* Security Council Distr.: General 18 February 2008 Original: English Letter dated 18 February 2008 from the Secretary-General to the President of the Security Council I have received today the attached letter from Mr. Javier Solana, European Union High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, informing me of the decision by the European Union to deploy a rule of law mission to Kosovo within the framework provided by resolution 1244 (1999), and of the decision by the European Union to appoint a European Union Special Representative for Kosovo. I should be grateful if you would bring this document to the attention of the members of the Security Council. (Signed) Ban Ki-moon * Reissued for technical reasons. 08-24262* (E) 200208 *0824262* S/2008/106 Annex Letter dated 18 February 2008 from the Secretary-General and High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the European Union addressed to the Secretary-General of the United Nations [Original: French] I have the honour to inform you that, on 4 February, the Council of the European Union, on the basis of the conclusions of the European Council of 14 December, adopted the Joint Action and the concept of operations enabling the deployment of the European Union operation in Kosovo. This operation, relating to the rule of law (essentially police and justice), aims to ensure the maintenance of an international civilian presence within the framework of Security Council resolution 1244 (1999) and to contribute as effectively as possible to the maintenance of regional peace and security.
    [Show full text]
  • Weekly Newsletter07 180208 View
    OMCT-Europe Weekly Newsletter 2008 N°7, 12.02- 18.02.2008 SUMMARY REGIONS: AFRICA Sudan Javier SOLANA, EU High Representative for the CFSP, condemns the escalating violence in Darfur (14/02/2008) AMERICAS ASIA Pakistan MEPs to observe elections in Pakistan (14/02/2008) Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the general elections in Pakistan (15/02/2008) EUROPE (OUTSIDE OF UE ) AND CIS Uzbekistan Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the release of human rights defenders in Uzbekistan (14/02/2008) Kosovo ► Javier Solana, EU High Representative for the CSP welcomes the appointments of Pieter Feith as EU Special Representative in Kososvo and Yves de Kermabon as Head of Mission of EULEX Kosovo ( 16/02/2008) ► Council establishes an EU Rule of Law Mission and appoints an EU Special representative( 16/02/2008) ► Javier Solana, EU High Representative for the CFSP on the latest developments in Kosovo (17/02/2008), MAGHREB AND MIDDLE EAST THEMATIC : FINANCIAL PERSPECTIVES JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS EXTERNAL RELATIONS & DEVELOPMENT-RELATED ISSUES EU / UN REFORM MISCELLANEOUS Fundamental Rights Agency Civil Liberties Committee backs Morten Kjaerum for director of the Funadamental Rights Agency (12/02/2008) IMPORTANT COMING MEETINGS EU - THIRD COUNTRY MEETINGS EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT MEETINGS Committee on Development February, 26, 27, 2008 Committee on Foreign Affairs February, 18, 2008 (Strasbourg) Subcommittee on Human Rights February, 27, 28, 2008 Subcommittee on security and defence February,
    [Show full text]
  • CSDP Missions and Operations- Lessons Learned
    DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR EXTERNAL POLICIES OF THE UNION DIRECTORATE B POLICY DEPARTMENT STUDY CSDP MISSIONS AND OPERATIONS: LESSONS LEARNED PROCESSES Abstract The first Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) mission was launched in 2003. Since then the EU has launched 24 civilian missions and military operations. Despite the tendency of military operations to attract more attention, the majority of CSDP (Common Security and Defence Policy) interventions have been civilian missions. Since the beginning the actors involved in CSDP recognised the need to learn from the different aspects of missions and operations. The tools and methodologies to guarantee a successful learning process have evolved over time together with the evolution of CSDP. This study represents a first stock-taking exercise of the lessons learned processes at the EU level. The study is divided in three major components. The first component looks at the available literature on the subject of knowledge management with regard to CSDP missions and operations. The study then draws upon short case-studies from the 21 missions and operations to-date with a specific focus on the lessons identified and (possibly) learned in practice. The study concludes with a number of recommendations targeted at how the lessons learning processes could be improved including specific recommendations on the role of the European Parliament. EXPO/B/SEDE/FWC/2009-01/Lot6/16 APRIL 2012 PE 457.062 EN This study was requested by the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Security and Defence AUTHORS:
    [Show full text]
  • Javier SOLANA, EU High Representative for the CFSP, Welcomes the Appointment of Pieter FEITH As EU Special Representative in Kosovo
    COUNCIL OF Brussels, 16 February 2008 THE EUROPEAN UNION S060/08 Javier SOLANA, EU High Representative for the CFSP, welcomes the appointment of Pieter FEITH as EU Special Representative in Kosovo Javier SOLANA, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) made today the following statement on the decision by the Council to appoint Pieter FEITH as the EU Special Representative in Kosovo. “I am very pleased that the Council has decided on the basis of my recommendation to appoint Pieter Feith as EU Special Representative in Kosovo. This appointment further illustrates the EU's enhanced engagement in the Western Balkans. Pieter Feith will in particular offer the EU's advice and support in the political process and promote overall EU coordination in Kosovo. I have known him for a long time and we have always worked very well together. I wish him all the luck in his new position. He has an in-depth knowledge of the region and of EU policies there." The European Council on 14 December 2007 stated the EU's readiness to assist Kosovo in the path towards sustainable stability, including by an European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) mission and a contribution to an international civilian office as part of the international presences in Kosovo. Today the Council also decided to launch the EULEX KOSOVO mission in the wider area of Rule of Law. Attached: CV of Pieter Feith ______________________________ FOR FURTHER DETAILS: Spokesperson of the Secretary General, High Representative for CFSP +32 (0)2 281 6467 / 5150 / 5151 / 8239 +32 (0)2 281 5694 internet: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/solana e-mail: [email protected] Pieter Cornelis FEITH Place and date of birth: Rotterdam, 9 February 1945 Nationality: Dutch Education M.A.
    [Show full text]
  • 37Th Asser Colloquium on European Law
    T.M.C. ASSER INSTITUUT 37th Asser Colloquium on European Law The European Union and International Crisis Management: Legal and Policy Aspects 11 – 12 October 2007 Paleiskerk, The Hague, The Netherlands T.M.C. Asser Instituut (est. 1965), a renowned interuniversity centre in the fields of international and European law, organized the first sessions of its Colloquium on European Law in 1972. Since then, conferences on European Law have been held annually and quickly gained the reputation of being a major event in the European Union law calendar. www.asser.nl The European Union and International Crisis Management: Legal and Policy Aspects Programm During the 1990’s, the European Union stood by and watched EU has been rather successful in carrying out its new tasks as an the Balkans burn. Reliance upon US diplomacy and NATO's international crisis manager. Cleverly, it has sought the cooperation military power to put the fire out condemned the EU to paying of other 'security' organisations to back up diplomacy by military the bills for reconstruction, while not moving the emphasis to force in potentially highly inflammable situations. conflict prevention and crisis management. Frustration at such inadequacies and calls for change by others led France and the The proliferation of the EU's institutional and operational United Kingdom, the EU Member States that pack the most mechanisms and cooperation with other international military punch, to prod their colleagues at the European Council's organisations to manage crises on its doorstep and farther afield, December 1999 summit at Helsinki in carrying forward work on has led to a whole series of new legal and political questions which the development of the Union's own military and non-military will be addressed at the 37th edition of the T.M.C.
    [Show full text]