Migration – How CSDP can support

The European Security and Defence College (ESDC) was established in 2005, with the aim of providing strategic-level education in European Security and Defence Policy, now Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). It followed thorough need analysis and experimentation phases. The creation of the ESDC was to give the Common Security and Defence Policy a training and education instrument which actively promotes a European security culture.

EU Member States participate in the effort on a voluntary basis. The training audience includes civil servants, diplomats, police officers, and military personnel from the EU Member States and EU institutions involved in CSDP. Partner countries and other international organisations are also invited to participate in some of the ESDC courses. In its first 5 years, the ESDC has developed into a key strategic CSDP training provider.

The ESDC is a network college. Several national universities, academies, colleges and institutes contribute to the success of the ESDC. The network members are well known civilian and military educational and research institutions in Europe.

The objective of the ESDC is to provide Member States and EU Institutions with knowledgeable personnel able to work efficiently on CSDP matters. In pursuing this objective, the College makes a major contribution to a better understanding of CSDP in the overall context of CFSP and to promoting a common European security cultureIn 2015, Austria was confronted with an unprecedented flow of asylum seekers and refugees, especially along the Western Balkans route. Since this challenged our capabilities, Austria called for EU action, including CSDP measures, as early as September 2015. A few EU measures have since been taken, but more should follow. Additionally, CSDP measures have exclusively focused on the central Mediterranean route.

After accepting more than 100,000 asylum seekers in 2015, and more than one million refugees crossing Austrian territory, Austria felt forced to adopt national measures in 2016 to slow down the flow of refugees. With the help of partner countries in the Western Balkans, it was possible to close the Western Balkans route on 9 March 2016. At the same time, the EU brokered an agreement with Turkey to prevent refugees from entering the EU from Turkey via the Greek islands, as well as to stop networks of smugglers from exploiting refugees desperate to get to Europe.

Both measures resulted in a significant decrease of refugees arriving in Europe, but the crisis is not over yet. Therefore, Austria would still like to see more measures implemented. Specifically, a civil-military mechanism at EU level, ideally supported by all Member States, should be established to deal with rapid changes in the numbers of refugees arriving in Europe. Assistance should be available to EU Member States, as well as to immediate neighbours. Additionally, the EU should support bilateral and regional measures in order to nurture the population’s sense of security.

On 13 September 2016, Egmont hosted a conference on the role of CSDP when dealing with migration, co-organised with the Austrian Ministry of Defence and Sports, the Austrian Foreign Ministry, and the European Security and Defence College. This joint publication compiled the key insights and recommendations from this event. It is edited by Jochen Rehrl & Sven Biscop.

EU: EEAS: European Security and Defence College https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/4369/european-security-and-defence-college-esdc_en

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