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What you missed on your vacation

(BRUXELLES2) You come back from vacation, rested, serene. Brief attack... In a few lines, here is the main information that this blog has dealt with and which will allow you to redo in a few minutes the point on some files.

Le european external action service is launched. After the vote of the European Parliament, and theAdoption formal by the 27 Ministers of Foreign Affairs, at the end of July, the first text founding the service was published (here). A new organization chart has been put into circulation (exclusively on this blog). The battle for positions is now more than engaged. The first names of the "Top ten" of the diplomatic service. On a provisional basis, the special representatives have been extended, but some remain in the hot seat, only seeing their term extended for six months. As for the EU, it bravely passed  the milestone of half a billion inhabitants. Which has a few meanings.

In the Gulf of Aden, the pirates begin to regain the upper hand with a few takes: the MV Suez and MV Syrian Star released shortly thereafter. The Swedes passed the baton to the French from De Grasse, led by the Rear Admiral Coindreau. And a new rotation of ships and planes begins (European anti-piracy forces deployed in the Gulf). At the UN there is beginning, more concretely now, a debate on the different options to set up an international or regional tribunal to try the pirates. Jack Lang was appointed Special Advisor on Piracy to the UN Secretary General. Note that theMauritius says Yes to the prosecution of suspected pirates arrested by the Europeans. The agreement should be initialed in October during a new trip by the High Representative to the region.

En Somalia, the situation remains difficult. El Shabab militias still threaten Mogadishu. Read : the smell of powder. Uganda, which is very involved in this country (donating most of the Amisom troops and hosting the training of the future Somali army) has also been hit by a bloody double attack in mid-July. Uganda who signed SOMA with the EU Ambassador.

En Afghanistan. , the Dutch significantly began their retired while the publication of confidential documents by Wikileaks will have an effect no more durable than some would like to say. A new head of mission has been appointed at EUPOL: the Finn from Savoia

Au Kosovo, the opinion of the International Court of Justice which validates the procedure of independence clarifies all things considered. While the European mission "EULEX" (Rule of law) has found its cruising speed and the first investigations are beginning to lead. Read: Summer cleaning in Kosovo. A new leader has been appointed: General Bout de Marnhac

La Russia celebrated in its own way the 2nd anniversary of the war with Georgia by announcing its desire to deploy S300 missiles in the 2 secessionist provinces of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. EU tip of the (little) finger Russia for still not respecting the six-point agreements of 2008. As for the EUMM Georgia mission, it has been extended for one year, until September 2011.

En Guinea-Bissau, the 27 decided to put premature end to the EUSSR mission, the power not accepting certain democratic rules.

Au Congo, have no fear, nothing has changed, The sexual violence continues.

The fires in Moscow or the floods in Pakistan have shown that the EU is not yet very responsive to crises (The Berlaymont, on vacation, watches Moscow burn). Even if Commissioner Georgieva displays her determination, for example to speed up the release of funds in the EU, and that the European "machine" is working, once again the EU has had a "start-up delay" which is detrimental to its political weight. The EU thus went in disorganized order to Russia (six countries sent resources, International aid to Russia). THE EPP worried moreover challenged the Commission. Faced with the floods in Pakistan, this discretion provoked a bittersweet exchange of letters between Sarkozy (When Nicolas goes up the suspenders to José-Manuel) and Barroso (José-Manuel, in turn, takes up the pen).

This is not the only exchange of letters between Paris and Brussels. France "tickled" the Commission with a forceful exchange of sweet words, both literally and figuratively, on Pakistan, the Case Sakineh or the presence of the EU in the peace negotiations in the Middle East (exchange of letters between Cathy and this "dear Bernard").

It should also be noted that the European humanitarian aid reserve is soon dry

In this back-to-school period, it will be time for the budget belt. The British will soon receive their roadmap. The British Army is bracing for one hell of a budget beating. They won't be the only ones...

On the side of the French military representation, a new face has appeared, Wing Vice-Admiral Xavier Paitard from the cabinet of Hervé Morin, the Minister of Defense (read: A fighter pilot with French military representation).

Finally, last but not least, this blog got a facelift with a new site (update your bookmarks and don't forget to subscribe or re-subscribe to the newsletter, if you haven't already!). Without forgetting - last novelty - the satirical drawings of Samuel which offer a refreshing glance on the topicality.

(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)

Nicolas Gros Verheyde

Chief editor of the B2 site. Graduated in European law from the University of Paris I Pantheon Sorbonne and listener to the 65th session of the IHEDN (Institut des Hautes Etudes de la Défense Nationale. Journalist since 1989, founded B2 - Bruxelles2 in 2008. EU/NATO correspondent in Brussels for Sud-Ouest (previously West-France and France-Soir).

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