Council Decision (EU) 2021/1210 on an assistance measure taking the form of a general programme for support to the African Union under the European Peace Facility in 2021

Summary:

Decision (EU) 2021/1210 - adopted by the Council of the European Union on 22 July 2021 - establishing a general programme for support to the African Union (AU) in the framework of the European Peace Facility (EPF).

Further information:

The EPF was established under Decision (CFSP) 2021/509 for the financing of actions under the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) to preserve peace, prevent conflicts and strengthen international security. The EPF can finance assistance measures to support the military aspects of peace support operations led by a regional or international organisation. These measures may take the form of a specific or a general programme with a given geographical or thematic focus.

The strategic importance of the Africa-EU Peace and Security Partnership - in the framework of the Joint Africa-EU Strategy - and the cooperation framework established under the African Peace Facility (APF) has been reaffirmed by the Council of the European Union, and so has the role of the AU in preserving peace and security on the African continent. It became necessary to ensure a seamless transition of support provided by the European Union (EU) from the APF to the EPF.

This Regulation therefore establishes a general programme for support to the AU under the EPF, which is to finance actions approve the Council's Political and Security Committee (PSC) before the end of 2021. A general programme allows for the continued provision of reliable and predictable financing to African-led peace support operations mandated or authorised by the AU Peace and Security Council, while also ensuring the flexibility necessary to effectively and efficiently react to conflict developments on the African continent.

This Decision was adopted by the Council of the European Union on 22 July 2021 and published in the Official Journal on 23 July 2021.