Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) No 230/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2014 establishing an instrument contributing to stability and peace

The link between security and development has been recognised both at European and at international level. The 2005 European Consensus on Development already recognised this link, which is central to maximising the effectiveness of the EU’s external action. Supporting partner countries’ security systems, as part of a broader reform process to provide effective and accountable security to the State and to individuals, contributes to the EU’s objectives of inclusive and sustainable development, state-building and the rule of law. Human security includes people-centred, multi-sectoral, comprehensive, context-specific, and prevention-oriented approaches. This is especially the case when it is clear that without security, access to the people most at risk of being left behind in conflict settings is limited, and effective outcomes of either humanitarian or development work are less likely.

The adoption of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16 on ‘peace and justice’ underlines the importance of promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, the provision of access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable institutions at all levels. SDG 16 emphasises the need to strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation for building capacity at all levels. In particular in fragile and conflict-affected States, channelling investments in line with development effectiveness principles will help to address the root causes of conflict and fragility. The EU supports the New Deal for Engagement in Fragile States and the emphasis it places on the security-development nexus.

The Joint Communication 'Capacity building in support of security and development' analysed how EU support to help build the capacities of partners, and thus contribute to stability, security and development, could be improved. The Communication identified gaps in the EU’s ability to support building the capacities of partners in the security sector, notwithstanding the multitude of actions, which are already supported, including effective civilian administration and civilian oversight over the security system.

Not addressing critical operational needs of partners hampers the achievement of essential objectives for development, i.e. to foster conditions for peace and human security. The improvement of the functioning of military actors and the strengthening of their governance, particularly in fragile contexts and countries emerging from conflict, contributes to peace, human security, and stability, and thereby to the achievement of the SDGs. The inability to finance capacity building in the security sector (both equipment and training) impinges on partners’ ability to fulfil their development needs.

The specific objectives of the proposal are to:
(i) contribute to improving the capacity of partner countries to prevent and manage crises by themselves;
(ii) contribute to improving the effectiveness of the Union’s development actions by working with all security actors, including the military, through the delivery of capacity building in support of security and development by the EU, as soon as possible, flexibly and comprehensively; and
(iii) contribute to ensuring the respect of the rule of law, good governance as well as enhanced civilian control and oversight over the military in third countries.

• Primary Source

EUR-Lex: COM(2016)447: Follow the progress of this proposal through the decision-making procedure http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/HIS/?uri=COM:2016:447:FIN

EUR-Lex: SWD(2016)222: Impact assessment: Capacity building in support of security and development http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=SWD:2016:222:FIN

EUR-Lex: SWD(2016)225: Executive summary of the impact assessment: Capacity building in support of security and development http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=SWD:2016:225:FIN

ESO: Background information: New proposals to improve the EU's support for security and development in partner countries http://www.europeansources.info/record/new-proposals-to-improve-the-eus-support-for-security-and-development-in-partner-countries/

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