Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP)
EU Member states have committed themselves to a Common Foreign Security Policy for the European Union.
Like the people in the Central African Republic, the EU wishes to see peace and security in the country. For this to happen, state authority must be extended throughout the country in accordance with rule of law and human rights principles; the EU Advisory Mission supports this objective. The Mission has reached Initial Operational Capability – a result of the preceding operational planning, led by the CPCC, the headquarters of the civilian CSDP Missions, in Brussels. Paulo Soares, a senior officer of the Portuguese Gendarmerie (Guarda Nacional Republicana) is the first Head of the Mission. He shares in this interview, from Bangui, his personal views on the upcoming activities of the Mission.
I was glad to participate on 9 July in a panel of renowned international affairs pundits from all continents, organised by our EU ISS and Carnegie, to discuss how we can navigate the pandemic world together.
EUCAP Somalia advises on an update of the Puntland anti-piracy law that could prevent acts of piracy in the planning stage and protect witnesses. Since its establishment in 2012 the civilian Capacity Building Mission EUCAP mentors and advises Somali counterparts on rebuilding Somalia’s maritime civilian security capacities.
In 2019, I visited as Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs the Simon Bolivar bridge, a 300 metres long bridge spanning Venezuela and Colombia. The bridge is named after the Venezuelan statesman and it was until the Venezuelan economic crisis a popular crossing point for citizens to shop across the border. Today, the bridge is a point where many Venezuelan refugees start the journey to look for a better future. At the time, I could witness the dire situations that many Venezuelans migrants and refugees are escaping from and the risks and misery they face. 5 million Venezuelan refugees and migrants have by now sought safety and new opportunities across the world, mostly in neighbouring countries. During my visit, I was already appointed as EU High Representative and was committed to organise European and international support for the refuges and migrants. The visit at the crossing over the Táchira River confirmed how badly this is needed.
Josep Borrell takes office as the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission (HR/VP).
