This film, produced in June 2006, shows that the European Union possesses the necessary structures and resources for it to become a leading force in global security. Under the European security and defence policy (ESDP), the Union deploys the resources at its disposal, be they military, diplomatic, economic or civilian, in various missions around the world, such as in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Indonesia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, both alone and in cooperation with other international actors.

Map showing all the civilian, police and military operations carried out under the European security and defence policy (ESDP) since 2003 (situation as of May 2006).

This memo on the missions and operations of the European Union, published in 2006 in the first EU Military Staff newsletter, identifies the four types of missions undertaken since 2003 in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia under the European security and defence policy (ESDP).

On 27 January 2003, the Council adopts a Joint Action to launch the first European Union military operation, the aim being to ensure the follow-on to the NATO operation ‘Allied Harmony’ in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

On 15 December 2003, in Skopje, a ceremony marks the end of Operation Concordia — the first European Union crisis-management operation and the first EU operation using NATO resources and capabilities — and the launch of a Police Mission, code-named ‘EUPOL Proxima', in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM). From left to right: Boris Trajkovski, President of the FYROM; Javier Solana, Secretary-General/High Representative for the CFSP; Branko Crvenkovski, Macedonian Prime Minister; and Ilinka Mitreva, Foreign Minister.

By Council Joint Action of 11 March 2002, the European Union establishes a European Union Police Mission (EUPM) in order to ensure, as from 1 January 2003, the follow-on to the United Nations International Police Task Force (IPTF) in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

On 15 January 2003, in Sarajevo, Javier Solana, Secretary General and High Representative (SG/HR) for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the European Union Police Mission (EUPM) in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Arrival at the main headquarters of the European Union Police Mission (EUPM) in Sarajevo on the occasion of its official opening on 15 January 2003. From left to right: Sven Christian Frederiksen, Head of Mission and Police Commissioner, Javier Solana, Secretary-General and High Representative (SG/HR) for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), and Paddy Ashdown, EU Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

On 2 December 2004, in Sarajevo, Javier Solana, Secretary-General of the Council/High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), delivers an address to mark the transfer of authority from the Stabilisation Force of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (SFOR/NATO) to EUFOR, on the day of the launch of the European Union’s military operation ‘Althea’ in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

On 15 September 2005, at the request of the Indonesian Government and of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM), the European Union launches a ‘Monitoring Mission in Aceh' (MMA), Indonesia, responsible for ensuring the implementation of the memorandum of understanding between the two parties signed on 15 August 2005 in Helsinki.

On 15 September 2005, in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, the European Union Monitoring Mission in Aceh (MMA) begins the first operation to disarm the Free Aceh Movement (GAM).

On 25 November 2005, the European Union Border Assistance Mission for the Rafah Crossing Point (EU BAM Rafah) begins at the border between Gaza and Egypt. This mission was established on the basis of agreements negotiated between the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority. The photograph shows the arrival of the first bus at the crossing point after it is opened.

This photograph demonstrates the daily work of the European Union Border Assistance Mission for the Rafah Crossing Point (EU BAM Rafah) between the Gaza Strip and Egypt (Palestinian Territories).

This photograph, taken on 8 February 2006, demonstrates the daily work of the European Union Police Mission for the Palestinian Territories, referred to as the ‘EU Coordinating Office for Palestinian Police Support' (EUPOL COPPS). This police mission aims to contribute to the establishment of sustainable and efficient policing arrangements under Palestinian administration, in accordance with the highest international standards.

On 15 February 2006, Jonathan McIvor, Head of Mission/Police Commissioner of the European Union Police Mission for the Palestinian Territories (EUPOL COPPS), delivers an address at a ceremony held to mark the opening of the Palestinian Police Training Centre in Jericho (West Bank), following its renovation.

During the election process in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the European Union conducts a military operation in support of the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC), code-named Operation EUFOR RD Congo. On 7 June 2006, Javier Solana, Secretary-General/High Representative for the CFSP holds a press conference to mark his first visit to the Operational Headquarters in Potsdam (Germany). From left to right: General Karlheinz Viereck, EUFOR RD Congo Commander; Javier Solana; and Friedbert Pfluger, German State Secretary for Defence.

During summer 2006, the European Union military operation in support of the United Nations Organisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (EUFOR RDC) is deployed during the entire electoral period. This photgraph shows Belgian soldiers erecting tents in the camp at N'Dolo, where the Headquarters of EUFOR RDC is located.

This film, produced in 2006, illustrates the international role of the European Union with the deployment of troops in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in South Lebanon.

This film, produced in 2007, outlines the civilian and military operations (EUFOR, EUPOL and EUSEC) undertaken in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) under the European security and defence policy (ESDP). The European Union is called on to provide support for the United Nations' mission involving the first presidential elections by universal suffrage ever held in the country.