240 German soldiers are currently serving around the Horn of Africa. The mandate of the EU-ledOperation Atalanta is to be extended unchanged with up to 1,400 troops. The mandate is scheduled to end on 18 December 2010.
The ceiling on troops for Operation Althea, which is also EU-led, will be reduced from 2,400 to 900 troops. Currently about 120 are deployed. The mandate is not limited to a specific period. Any parliamentary group can, however, apply for the mandate to be reviewed every twelve months.
Passing through the Gulf of Aden safely
Atalanta has the mandate to combat piracy around the Somali coast and to act as a deterrent, making it safe for civilian shipping. This also applies to aid supplies being delivered to the suffering Somali people. Since the operation began there have been no more pirate attacks on protected vessels. More than 300,000 tons of food and other aid have been safely delivered to Somalia. All goods transported by sea for the World Food Programme have reached their port of destination in Somalia.
In June this year the German Bundestag decided to extend the radius of action of Operation Atalanta. Until then only the Somali coasts were protected, with the result that the pirate attacks shifted eastwards. Thereupon the Republic of Seychelles asked the European Union for assistance. The extended theatre of operations, now including the Seychelles, covers more than five million square kilometres, which is about fifteen times the size of Germany.
Stability in South Eastern Europe
Germany has a major interest in the peace process in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is why German soldiers have been involved in securing peace in the region since 1995, firstly within the framework of the NATO operations IFOR and SFOR. Since the beginning of December 2004, the mission has been part of the EU-led Operation Althea.
In military terms the security situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina is stable. The political situation on the domestic front remains fragile though, making it necessary for Operation Althea to provide a safe and protected environment.
Supporting the executive
The basis for peace in former Yugoslavia was laid down in the Dayton Peace Agreement. It is monitored by the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, who represents the United Nations and has executive powers.
Division of the assets of the state
Regulation of defence sector assets
Regulation of the status of the special district of Brčko
Creation of fiscal sustainability
Anchoring the principle of the rule of law.
Two other conditions must also be met:
- Firstly the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU must be signed.
- Secondly, the Peace Implementation Council must give a positive assessment of the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, on the basis of complete agreement of Bosnia and Herzegovina with the provisions of the Dayton Peace Agreement.
At the meeting of the steering committee of the Peace Implementation Council in Sarajevo on 18/19 November 2009, it was once again noted that the five goals had not been achieved, nor the two conditions met. Indeed the states represented were concerned about the inadequate progress made towards meeting the political requirements. For instance no further progress has been made on constitutional reform.
The next assessment of progress in Bosnia and Herzegovina will take place at the end of February 2010.
Given the unstable political situation, the goal of the EU-led military Operation Althea is still to support the High Representative and his special executive powers.
