List of military and civilian missions of the European Union
The European Union has undertaken a number of overseas missions and operations, drawing on civilian and military capabilities, in several countries across three continents, as part of its Common Security and Defence Policy. The operation or mission in question will work in agreement and coordination with the EU delegations, until 2009 known as the European Security and Defence Policy.
Classification
In the EU terminology, civilian CSDP interventions are called 'missions', regardless of whether they have an executive mandate such as EULEX Kosovo or a non-executive mandate. Civilian missions include uniformed personnel such as Police and Gendarmerie, but not military personnel.Military interventions, however, can either have an executive mandate such as for example Operation Atalanta in which case they are referred to as 'operations' and are commanded at two-star level; or non-executive mandate in which case they are called 'missions' and are commanded at one-star level.
Deployment procedure
The decision to deploy – together with any subsequent management of – the mission or operation in question, will ultimately be taken by the EU member states in the Foreign Affairs Council.Military operations may be launched after four planning phases, through which the Operation Commander, Military Staff, Military Committee, Political and Security Committee and Council have different roles.