Brussels, 23 June 2008
S225/08
COU9CIL OF
THE EUROPEA9 U9IO9
Javier SOLA9A,
EU High Representative for the CFSP,
to visit Berlin
for the Conference in Support of
Palestinian Civil Security and Rule of Law
and a meeting of the International Quartet
Monday, 23 to Tuesday, 24 June 2008
Javier SOLANA, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP),
will visit Berlin from Monday, 23 to Tuesday, 24 June to attend the Berlin Conference in Support of
Palestinian Civil Security and Rule of Law and a meeting of the International Quartet.
Mr SOLANA will attend a working dinner in Berlin, on Monday evening, and he will make an
opening statement to the conference on Tuesday morning.
On Tuesday evening, Mr SOLANA will attend a meeting of the International Quartet in Berlin.
Point of contact: Mary Brazier, mobile telephone number: +32 477 97 08 74
__________________
Attachments: factsheet on EUPOL COPPS and background on Berlin Conference in Support of
Palestinian Civil Security and the Rule of Law
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]
EUROPEAN UNION
EUROPEA9 SECURITY A9D DEFE9CE POLICY
EU Police Mission for the Palestinian Territories
(EUPOL COPPS)
Updated: June 2008
COPPS/08
Mission background
The EU has been at the forefront of efforts for peace
in the Middle East. Amongst its immediate priorities
the EU aims to further strengthen law and order, and
in this context, EUPOL COPPS is an important
element in the improvement of security in the
Palestinian territories. EUPOL COPPS, which started
on 1 January 2006 builds on the work of the EU Coordination Office for Palestinian Police Support,
established earlier within the office of the EU Special
Representative for the Middle East peace process.
The initiative followed the expression by EU leaders
in June 2004 of their readiness to support the
Palestinian Authority in taking responsibility for law
and order, and in particular, in improving its civil
police and law enforcement capacity.
MISSION FACTS
Theatre: Palestinian Territories
Headquarters: Ramallah
Starting Date: 1 January 2006
Head of Mission: Colin SMITH
Mission strength: 26 EU staff and 5 local staff
Mission budget: EUR 6,4 million (1.3.-31.12.08)
Contributing states: 15 EU member states and Norway.
EU High Representative Javier Solana visits the
Headquarters of EUPOL COPPS accompanied by the
Head of Mission Colin Smith (rght)
Mandate and objectives
The aim of the mission is to contribute to the
establishment of sustainable and effective
policing arrangements under Palestinian
ownership in accordance with the best
international standards, in co-operation with
the EU institution building programmes
conducted by the European Commission as
well as other international efforts in the wider
context of security sector including criminal
justice reform.
Mission achievements
By improving the Palestinian Civil Police's law enforcement
capacity, EUPOL COPPS is a key channel for the efforts of
the EU and the wider international community to support
the Palestinian Authority in taking responsibility for law and
order.
Local ownership is an overriding principle of the mission
PRE SS - EU Co uncil Secre t ariat T el: +32 (0)2 281 7640 / 6319
[email protected] http://www.consilium.europa.eu/esdp
The main achievements of the mission include:
• providing support to the Palestinian Civil
Police for immediate operational priorities and
longer-term transformational change as
described in the Palestinian Civil Police
Development Programme;
• advising
and
closely
mentoring
the
Palestinian Civil Police, and specifically senior
officials at District and Headquarters level;
and
• co-ordinating
and
facilitating
financial
assistance, whether from EU countries or
Providing equipment is one of the mission's main
other international donors, to the Palestinian
activities
Civil Police.
Projects have included providing training and equipment to the Palestinian Civil Police.
The Council of the European Union has agreed to expand EUPOL COPPS' activities in the area of
the criminal justice system. The expansion of the mission to cover the wider rule of law area is
currently under examination by the Council.
"EUPOL COPPS is an
expression of the EU's
continued readiness to support
the Palestinian Authority in
complying with its Roadmap
obligations, in particular with
regard to ‘security’ and
‘institution building’ (…).
Furthermore, the support of the
EU to the Palestinian Civil
Police aims at increasing the
safety and security of the
Palestinian population and at
serving the domestic agenda of
the Palestinian Authority in
reinforcing the rule of law."
COUNCIL JOINT ACTION 2005/797/CFSP
of 14 November 2005 on the European Union
Police Mission for the Palestinian Territories
The European Union's European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) includes the gradual framing of a common defence policy which
might in time lead to a common defence. The ESDP allows the Union to develop its civilian and military capacities for crisis management
and conflict prevention at international level, thus helping to maintain peace and international security, in accordance with the United
Nations Charter. The ESDP includes a strong conflict prevention component.
Based in Brussels, the Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability (CPCC) is the permanent structure responsible for an autonomous
operational conduct of civilian ESDP operations. Under the political control and strategic direction of the Political and Security Committee
and the overall authority of the High Representative, the CPCC ensures the effective planning and conduct of civilian ESDP crisis
management operations, as well as the proper implementation of all mission-related tasks.
More information and background documents available on http://www.consilium.europa.eu/esdp
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Background
Berlin Conference in Support of Palestinian Civil Security and
the Rule of Law
Germany is supporting the peace process in the Middle East. Alongside economic development, a
particular focus is on establishing Palestinian state structures. Federal Foreign Minister FrankWalter Steinmeier has invited more than forty of his colleagues to the Berlin Conference in Support
of Palestinian Civil Security and the Rule of Law on 24 June.
Invitations have been extended to all the key players in the Middle East peace process. As well as
the Palestinian Authority and Israel, these include the members of the Middle East Quartet, the
United Nations, the EU Member States, the Arab League, Japan, Canada but also other countries in
the region.
What is the Berlin Conference about?
With the Conference, the international community is giving a clear signal for the development of a
functioning Palestinian state with a profile the citizens can see. After all, there can only be a lasting
solution to the Middle East conflict if Israel and Palestine live side by side in peace as two
independent states.
But a state needs more than territory - it needs above all else functioning institutions. Alongside a
parliament and government, these include well-equipped security authorities and an independent
judiciary.
With these institutions, a state can create security and order - the ultimate prerequisites for further
developments whether political or economic.
This is especially true of the Palestinian territories. Only if the legitimate security interests can be
guaranteed, also those of Israel, can the establishment of a state come within reach. And more
security for the Palestinians also means more security for Israel.
With the Berlin Conference, we are harnessing and bolstering international efforts to support the
Palestinian security sector.
This is happening in close cooperation with the Palestinian Government. The Palestinian Authority
has fed a number of proposals and projects into the preparatory work for the Conference.
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How did the Berlin Conference come about?
There have been increased efforts to move the Middle East peace process forward since May 2007.
The efforts of the US Administration in particular aimed for a direct agreement between Israelis and
Palestinians.
The negotiations climaxed with the agreement reached in Annapolis in November 2007. It aims for
the peaceful co-existence of Israel and Palestine in two independent states.
The EU is also supporting the negotiating process between the two sides. Even before the Annapolis
Conference, the EU launched an Action Strategy for the Middle East.
It was Minister Steinmeier who suggested an action plan for the Middle East to the EU foreign
ministers. Whereupon the General Affairs and External Relations Council adopted an Action
Strategy. It lays the foundation for continued work by the EU and is now being further developed in
the light of the results of the Annapolis meeting.
The Berlin Conference is one of a series of international meetings aiming to strengthen Palestinian
structures. Alongside a Donor Conference in Paris in December 2007, there was also an Investment
Conference in Bethlehem in mid-May 2008.
Healthy economy in a strong state
The Federal Government knew from the outset that it was key to bolster the Palestinian people's
will for peace by strengthening the Palestinian economy. And there can be no economic
development without functioning state structures as well as legal certainty for investors.
So far German efforts have focused on concrete assistance which rapidly strengthens the Palestinian
security apparatus. This is why Germany is supplying radio devices and patrol cars. The Berlin
Conference takes this further aiming to organize concrete steps on a larger scale.
European commitment
The EU has long been engaged in the sphere of security in the Palestinian territories. In this way it
is helping create the conditions for further negotiations between the conflicting parties.
With the EUPOL-COPPS police mission for example, the EU, including Germany, is improving the
functioning of the Palestinian civil police.
Working on concrete projects
There can also be no doubt that the Berlin Conference is more than simply a follow-up conference
to Annapolis. What it is doing is bolstering the Middle East peace process by pooling and
strengthening international assistance.
The prime focus is not on the conference participants simply pledging more money. Based on the
reform and development plan the Palestinians presented in Paris, funds are to be earmarked for
concrete projects with clear and tangible results. The Berlin Conference wants to secure the
financing for a consolidated, rapid-impact Implementation Package.
What is more, EUPOL-COPPS is to be extended soon to include the sphere of criminal justice. In
the medium term, there is to be comprehensive engagement in the judicial sphere all across the
board. The EU wants to assume leadership in developing the police and judiciary.
Source: German Foreign Ministry
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