EU-Canada Agreement on participation in crisis management operations signed

Javier Solana, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy and Canadian Ambassador Jeremy Kinsman today signed an Agreement between the European Union and Canada establishing a framework for the participation of Canada in the European Union crisis management operations under the ESDP (European Security and Defence Policy).

The agreement, which was signed in the margins of the EU-Canada leaders' video-conference, will facilitate Canada's participation in civilian and military crisis management operations conducted by the EU.

Canada has participated or is currently participating in several EU-led operations: the EU Police mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EUPM), Operation Artemis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (in 2003), Operation ALTHEA in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the EU Police mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (EUPOL Kinshasa). Until now this was done on the basis of ad hoc arrangements. The EU is grateful for these contributions and welcomes Canada's involvement, which contributes to strengthening transatlantic relations in the field of security and crisis management. This agreement further underscores the open character of ESDP.

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• Reinforcing civilian crisis management capacity in the EU  (11/1/2006)
• Speech by EU Commissioner Ferrero-Waldner - Role of Crisis Response in External Relations  (14/11/2005)
• Speech by Crisis Management Initiative Chair Ahtisaari - From Needs to Solutions: Enhancing Civilian Crisis Response Capacity of the EU (14/11/2005)
• Speech by EUHR Solana - Europe's International Role (9/11/2005)
• Ukraine to participate in EU crisis management operations (13/6/2005)