A new head of civilian crisis management missions
(B2) The general of the Italian Carabinieri Vincenzo Coppola has just taken office as the new name at the head of the command of the civil crisis missions (CPCC). Good news
The Italian Vincenzo Coppola, with some experience in the Balkans and the fight against the mafias, took command of the civilian crisis management command (CPCC *) and replaced the Briton Ken Deane. This ends in style a career of 40 years, both at Italian and European level (Read our portrait made in preview: The command of civilian crisis missions entrusted to the Italian V. Coppola (Carabineri)).
An essential element of European security policy
« At a time when the world increasingly regards the European Union as a responsible partner in the field of security, civilian CSDP missions are an essential part of EU foreign policy “said the newcomer, promising to” use [his] professional experience in international crisis management and in the broader European security and defense environment to [benefit] in his new role.
Civilian mission command: a small team
The command of EU civilian crisis management missions comprises around 80 people. Which is all in all not enough to lead and direct the dozen missions dispersed over three essential areas – Europe, Middle East, Africa – which have around 2000 men and women, police officers, customs officers, magistrates, security specialists. The European Union today has a dozen so-called 'civilian' missions responsible for advising, training and/or helping to restructure the internal security forces in several 'crisis' countries: from Ukraine (EUAM) to Libya (EUBAM), via Iraq (EUAM), Palestine (EUPOL and EUBAM), Kosovo (EULEX), Moldova (EUBAM), Georgia (EUMM), Somalia (EUCAP), Niger ( EUCAP) and Mali (EUCAP and EUSTAMS). Two of its missions have an 'executive' vocation: the 'rule of law' mission EULEX Kosovo and the observation mission EUMM Georgia.
Restore some bond of trust
The general will have a lot to do to restore a bond of trust, not only within his teams but also with the Member States, quite shaken by the chaotic management in recent months of his predecessor, Ken Deane. This former British policeman, having served in Northern Ireland came out the back door. The European diplomatic service played discretion, while an internal investigation was opened for sexual harassment and that his intemperance with alcohol was an open secret. No official gesture acknowledging his work or even the mention of his name in the communicated welcoming the arrival of V. Coppola. Which is rather rare and testifies to the relief of the management of the EEAS to see the departure of a man who arrived in Brussels with great ambitions and who locked himself up in chicanery and personal resentment, which were doubtless not up to the position he held.
A wind of change in crisis management structures
This change at the head of civilian mission command illustrates a complete renewal of responsibilities at the head of EU crisis management structures. Thus, the Finnish Sofie From Emmesberger replaced the Belgian Walter Stevens at the head of the COPS (read: A Finn takes the head of the COPS), the Political and Security Committee, the linchpin of the European defense doctrine and European diplomacy. The directorate for planning military missions and operations (CMPD) must also change heads, to replace Gabor Iklody. While the EU's military committee must change hands: Italian General Claudio Graziano, Chief of the Italian Defense Staff, to succeed Greek General Mikhael Kostarakos (read: Italian general to head EU military committee from 2018).
(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)
* Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability
