HANDBOOK ON CSDP
by Georgios Tsitsikostas
European Union
3.2. CHALLENGES OF MILITARY OPERATIONS AND MISSIONS
The lack of quick and spectacular results may create frustration. Nevertheless, ‘quick wins’ were never anticipated or expected, although they would definitely be welcome.
Since 2003, the European Union has launched 13 military CSDP missions and operations. Deployed on two continents, on land and at sea, these missions and operations constitute the military contribution to the European Union’s comprehensive approach to crisis management. Their objective, regardless of the geographical area in which they are deployed, is to support efforts to restore stability and build security in states and regions on the Union’s periphery. Today, six EU-led military missions and operations are active. The mandates of these missions and operations, established through a resolution of the United Nations Security Council or via a request by the host nation, have been diverse. This underpins the inherently flexible and adaptable nature of the military approach which allowed and enabled the
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smooth development of the EU’s engagement, following developments in the country in question. The example of the gradual development of the executive EU military operation the in Central African Republic (EUFOR CAR) into a non-executive Military Advisory Mission (EUMAM CAR) and later into a Training Mission (EUTM CAR) has educational value in this sense.
STABILITY PROJECTION AND SECURITY BUILDING The lack of quick and spectacular results may create frustration. Nevertheless, ‘quick wins’ were never anticipated or expected, although they would definitely be welcome. The nature of the
