Launch of civilian CSDP mission to support security sector reform in Iraq

Background and further information>:

A team of 35 experts, led by Markus Ritter, would provide advice and assistance in priority work areas, responding to the needs of the relevant authorities. The mission was expected to be deployed by the end of the year, with a budget of €14 million for one year. The decision was made during a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council.

The aim of the Iraqi national security strategy is to build state institutions capable of consolidating security, peace and preventing conflicts, whilst adhering to the rule of law and human rights standards. It outlines a number of urgent threats to national security, including terrorism, corruption, political instability and ethnic and sectarian polarisation.

The decision to deploy this mission responded to a request from the Iraqi authorities for support in the area of civilian security sector reform. The European Union adopted the crisis management concept for the mission on 17 July 2017.

The Council of the European Union decided on 17 October 2017 to launch a civilian CSDP mission in Iraq, with a focus on assisting the Iraqi authorities in the implementation of the civilian aspects of the Iraqi national security strategy.