Financing the civilian and military missions and operations under the common security and defence policy of the European Union

Abstract

Since the undertaking of the first military operation under the European Security and Defence Policy in 2003 until today, the European Union launched a total of 34 civilian and military missions and operations for security and peace keeping and stabilization in different regions of the world (Europe, Asia, Africa). According to the EU Treaty, the mode of funding the missions and operations under the CSDP depends on whether these are of civilian or military nature. To ensure timeliness, continuity, efficiency and reliability of the military operations funding, in 2004 the EU Council set up a special mechanism for managing the financing of common costs of operations having military or defense implications, called Athena. The initial decision on the mechanism of Athena was repeatedly changed and upgraded until the latest decision was reached on 19 December 2011. It precisely defines what are the common costs of military operations to be financed from special contributions of EU member states and other contributors, as well as the responsibilities and the mode of functioning of Athena mechanism, including the procedures for managing the financing of common costs, reports, controls and audits. This paper deals exactly with the funding of missions and operations undertaken under the EU CSDP, focusing on the financing of common costs of military operations.