Most of the missions are of a civilian, and mostly policing, nature.
Since 2003, a total of 17 missions (of military and civilian nature) have been deployed in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
Out of the 13 ongoing ESDP operations Greece takes part in the following:
Α. Military operations:
1) Operation EUFOR-Althea in Bosnia and Herzegovina this operation was launched in December 2004 as a follow-up to NATO’s SFOR. It is mainly aimed at preserving a safe and stable environment in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
2) Anti-piracy naval operation off the coast of Somalia (ATALANTA): This is the first naval EU operation that is being carried out within the framework of relevant UN Security Council resolutions. This EU force helps protect ships chartered by the World Food Programme (WFP) transporting humanitarian aid to Somalia, and also other vulnerable vessels cruising off the Somali coast. A Greek Commodore was the Force Commander of EU NAVFOR Atalanta for the first four months of the operation (December 2008 – April 2009). Greece played an active part in this operation since it was launched and still contributes to it to this day.
3) EU Training mission based in Uganda (EUTM): this operation was launched in May 2010 and is aimed at strengthening the anti-piracy capacities of the Somali security forces.
Α. Civilian operations:
4) EU Mission on the Rule of Law in Kosovo (EULEX Kosovo): this is, thus far, the most significant EU civilian mission and it is carried out in the framework of UN Security Council Resolution 1244. It focuses on issues concerning the rule of law – including issues relating to police, justice, and the observance of law and order.
5) EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia (EUMM Georgia): Following up on the mediating efforts of the French EU Presidency and the agreements concluded between Georgia and Russia, the EU decided in September 2008 to dispatch a mission of at least 200 observers in order to contribute to stability in Georgia and the broader region. This mission's main task is to oversee the activities of the parties, including their compliance with the Six-Point Ceasefire Agreement.
Last modified: August 2010