The following article, starting from the analysis of the main crisis elements of the current geopolitical context, identifies the main risk factors related to security for the European area, at the center of different conflict areas in particular, in the sectors of Eastern Europe and the Middle Oriental.
The change of scale for defense and security policies is identified as a credible and effective option in order to guarantee national and European security at the same time. An effective tool of this policy, also in terms of perspective, is the European Gendarmerie Force (EUROGENDFOR). Established with the Treaty of Velsen of the 2007, it presents itself as a flexible, rapid force, able to carry out a wide range of operations: stabilization and intervention in contexts of crisis, replacement, integration and training of local police forces, intervention in the ambit of natural or man-made disasters. The article analyzes the organization and structure of EUROGENDFOR, how to access the organization and, finally, the missions in which it participated and participates in different areas of the world.
1 - The geopolitical context of reference
The current geopolitical framework is characterized by various factors of instability that develop close to the European Union: the Ukrainian crisis in Eastern Europe directly involves relations between the Russian Federation and the EU, affecting, among others, important political and economic aspects -commercial, as well as on issues related to the security of the entire eastern axis of Europe. The sector of greatest instability is found in the Middle East, where there is a reconfiguration of the geopolitical assets that are affecting the entire area.
The most important datum is the advanced jhiadist of ISIS with the self-proclamation of the "Islamic State" in the spaces between Syria and Iraq. It is accompanied by the Arab-Israeli conflict that in the current phase sees an increase in the use of force among the actors involved. Furthermore, in North Africa we are witnessing the fragmentation of Libya with the creation of a dangerous power vacuum that contributes to increasing the region's insecurity. These conflicts are connected with enormous economic and social problems linked, in particular, to the absence of economic development, to the collapse of states characterized by ethnic conflicts and / or religious conflicts, by degenerative political struggles in civil wars and from the enormous demographic pressure exerted by areas of the world with high birth rates in areas where birth rates are in decline and the population is rapidly aging, increasing the phenomenon of illegal migration as a whole.
The issues related to internal and external security related to the phenomena exposed above, affect, in particular, the member countries of the European Union whose geographical, economic and demographic characteristics place it as a strategic space, at the center of different areas of international conflict. The question of international security takes on a special value when considered within the perspective of the European integration process.
The transnational dimension of risk factors implies a change in the scale with which the security of member states must be pursued. In this sense, it seems appropriate to place at the center of the strategic reflection, alongside the political and diplomatic instruments, the development, within the limits of the community context, of the most effective tools in order to guarantee security inside, and to promptly intervene in the external, of the European Union conceived as a common security space. An element of sure interest with a view to developing a Military Instrument organized at European level is the European Gendarmerie Force.
2 - The European gendarmerie force: aims and functional characteristics
Following the declaration of intent of the 2004 in Noordwijk (Netherlands), and with the subsequent Treaty of Velsen of the 18 October 2007, the European Gendarmerie Force (later also EGF) was established.
The treaty was signed by France, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Poland (2011) and Romania (2008) subsequently joined in order to constitute a flexible and effective tool to be used in crisis management, contributing to the security policy and common defense of the European Union.
The Art. 1 of the Treaty states the objective of establishing a “pre-organized, strong and rapidly explicable operational force, composed solely of the police forces with military statute of the Parties, in order to perform all the Police tasks envisaged in the context of of crisis management operations ". The European Gendarmerie Force can be made available (Art. 5) "of the European Union (EU), of the United Nations (UN), of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), of the Organization of the North Atlantic Treaty (NATO) and other international organizations or specific coalitions ". Art. 4 specifies the missions and tasks of the organization, which must cover the entire range of police missions, "through replacement or reinforcement, during all phases of a crisis management operation". Employed by the civil or military authorities, the European Gendarmerie Force is able to deal with a wide range of operations "a) security missions and public order, b) monitor, carry out consultancy, guide and supervise local police forces in carrying out their ordinary duties, including criminal investigation, c) performing public surveillance, traffic management, border control and general intelligence tasks; d) carry out investigative activities in the criminal field, identify the crimes, trace the culprits and translate them before the competent judicial authorities; e) protect people and property and maintain order in the event of public unrest; f) train police officers according to international standards; g) train the instructors, in particular through cooperation programs ".
The most important points are the missions related to public order in crisis contexts from general intelligence activities to investigative activities in the criminal field, as well as from training activities through cooperation programs. The aforementioned activities qualify the European Gendarmerie Force as a highly specialized organization capable of operating as a multilevel player in crisis contexts, adapting to the different needs of the operating context. Another element characterizing the organization is the ability to deploy rapidly, in particular, in the early stages of crisis management which allow it to operate immediately even in unfavorable environments. The range of the missions entrusted allows us to frame the European gendarmerie force as an instrument capable of responding effectively to the dynamic and unconventional structure of the crises that characterize contemporary conflicts. In particular, the EUROGENDFOR proves to be particularly suitable in relation to a phenomenon characteristic of the current international context: the phenomenon of the so-called collapse of the Institutions or of a real "failed State", characterized by loss of control of part or all of the territory with the consequent emergence of local conflicts and / or civil wars. In this case it can operate both to strengthen and replace the crisis scenario police, where there has been a partial or total collapse of the institutions, or in contexts characterized by a high level of insecurity generated by the weakness of local institutions. Other operational uses of the Gendarmerie Force, are related to operations in the event of natural disasters or caused by man, in the presence of displaced persons and refugees.
3 - Organizational structure
The role of CIMIN (High Interministerial Committee) is outlined in the article 7. It is "composed of the representatives of the competent ministries of each of the Parties", constitutes the political summit of the structure and provides the strategic directives to the organization. In CIMIN each member country is represented by a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a Representative of the Ministry of Defense or of the Interior and by the General Commander or by the Director General of the respective Forces; the rotating annual presidency of the committee is exercised by each member country. Decisions in CIMIN are taken unanimously. Paragraph 3 indicates the tasks of CIMIN: "a) to exercise the political control of EUROGENDFOR, to define its strategic orientation and to ensure political-military coordination between the Parties and, where appropriate, with contributing States; b) appoint the EGF Commander (European Gendarmerie Force, ed) and give him directions; c) approve the role and structure of the permanent HQ (Headquarters Ed.) as well as the rotation criterion for key positions in the permanent HQ; d) appoint the President of the Financial Council and define the rotation criteria of the presidency; e) monitor the implementation of the objectives defined by this Treaty; f) approve the annual objectives and training program proposed by the EGF Commander; g) adopt the decisions concerning: I) the participation of EUROGENDFOR in the missions; II) the participation of contributing States in the missions of EUROGENDFOR; III) requests for cooperation from third States, international organizations or others, h) to elaborate the framework of actions led by EUROGENDFOR or conducted at the request of the EU, the UN, the OSCE, NATO, other international organizations or of a specific coalition; i) define the framework of each mission, where appropriate in consultation with the relevant international organizations, in particular: I) the designation of the EGF Force Commander; II) the participation of the permanent HQ in the chain of command; j) to approve the structure of the HQ of the Force; k) guarantee the management and evaluation of EUROGENDFOR's activities in the event of deployment; l) establish the need to conclude the security agreements referred to in Article 12, paragraph 3 ". A primary role is played by the CMIN with regard to the conditions of engagement and deployment. In Article. 6 establishes that the "conditions of engagement and deployment of EUROGENDFOR, established from time to time by CIMIN according to the circumstances, must be regulated by a specific mandate for each operation and will be subject to the necessary agreements between the Parties and the organization applicant".
The article also outlines the conditions for deployment in a third country: "The positioning and deployment on the territory of a third State will be regulated by an agreement between the States of origin and the third State, in which the conditions of the positioning and deployment, in accordance with the fundamental principles of this Treaty ”. CIMIN designates the EGF Commander who, pursuant to Art. 8 is called to: "a) command the permanent HQ and define the regulations necessary for its operation" operates in synergy with the CIMIN, where it is called to "b) implement the directives received by CIMIN; c) on behalf expressly assigned to it by the Parties through CIMIN, and on its behalf, negotiate and conclude the agreements or technical agreements, necessary for the correct functioning of EUROGENDFOR and the performance of exercises or operations conducted in the territory of a third State; d) to adopt, in accordance with the laws of the host State, all the measures necessary to guarantee the maintenance of order and safety within its structures and, if necessary, outside the same, with the prior consent and with the help of host state authority; e) draw up the budget of the common expenses of EUROGENDFOR and, at the end of the financial year, the final report on the expenses of EUROGENDFOR for that year; f) assume command of the EGF Forces, where provided ”. The EGF Commander or a designated person is responsible for representing the European Gendarmerie Force.
4 - Accession
The EGF can join "Any EU member state, with a police force with military status," which "can request CIMIN to accede to this Treaty. After receiving the approval of the Parties, in accordance with Article 7, paragraph 5, letter a), the CIMIN will inform the requesting State of the decision of the Parties. The accession will take place through the deposit of an instrument of accession with the depositary of the Treaty, (the Government of the Italian Republic pursuant to Article 47, Ed.) Who will notify the date of the aforementioned deposit to each Party and to the State. that adheres ". The Treaty enters into force "on the first day of the second month after the notification made by the depositary to all the Parties" (Art. 42).
In the following Articles 43 and 44 the status of Observer Country and Partner of the organization are defined. The first condition can be given to "States that are candidates for entry into the EU, with a police force with a military statute" as well as to EU Member States. Observer Status is configured as a preliminary step to the actual adhesion to EGF. From the condition of Observer derives the right to be able to post a Liaison Officer at the HQ. The status of Partner is aimed at "EU Member States and EU candidate states, with a force that has military status and some police powers, may request Partner status" rights and Partner States' obligations are defined by CIMIN.
5 - Participating forces
The police forces with EGF members are: for France the Gendarmerie Nationale, for Italy the Arma dei Carabinieri, for the Netherlands, the Koninklijke Marechaussee; for Poland the jandarmeria Wojskowa; for Portugal the Guarda Nacional Republicana; for Spain the Guardia Civil and for Romania Jandarmeria Română. Turkey, with the Jandarma State Observer, Lithuania with the Vieŝojo Saugumo is Partner State. The headquarters of the European Gendarmerie Force is located in Vicenza, Italy, at the barracks named after General Antonio Chinotto.
6 - Missions
The EGF has participated and participates in various missions. From the 2007 to the 2010 it was used in the EUFOR ALTHEA mission in Bosnia. In the 2009, he participated, with training duties of the local Police Forces, in the ISAF mission in Afghanistan. In the 2010 the EGF participated in a support mission following the earthquake in Haiti. Finally, from the 2014 EGF, it is engaged, with stabilization tasks, in the EUFOR RCA mission in the Central African Republic.
Ciro Luigi Tuccillo
