The EEAS Crisis Response System

Abstract

In recent years, the European Union (EU) has become more prominent and effective as a crisis manager.This paper argues that the idea of the Comprehensive Approach and the European External Action Service (EEAS) institutional project have been substantially shaped by High Representative Ashton.A focus on the newly created Crisis Response and Operational Coordination Department within the EEAS is employed for analysing the recent post-Lisbon changes in the EU crisis management architecture. Based on a series of in-depth interviews with EU and national officials, the paper contemplates the role for the EU in complex crises, in particular the potential contribution of the EU's CrisisResponse System.

Impact of the Agent’s Environment on Discretion in the Field of EU Conflict Resolution

“…It is supported by a Situation Room and the EEAS Crisis Platform which serve as coordination bodies for all relevant EU engagement in a crisis including information sharing. The EEAS is clearly placed at the forefront of a comprehensive approach to EU conflict resolution (Tercovich 2014).…”

“…The EEAS as main agent implementing EU conflict resolution is equipped with flexible tools to react to urgent crises in particular through its crisis platform (Tercovich 2014). For instance, the EAAS can act immediately through the EUSRs when there is a crisis or dynamics which require urgent action (Interview A).…”

Managing Transboundary Crises: The Emergence ofEuropeanUnion Capacity

“…The Civil Protection Mechanism has been moved to DH ECHO and is being reviewed as the Commission seeks to develop the European Disaster Response Capacity. The Commission's External Action Service is strengthening its capacity to coordinate crisis management abroad and provide consular protection of EU citizens (Tercovich, ).…”

“…Through its brand‐new Emergency Response Centre, the Commission coordinates joint disaster assistance, both to member states and other disaster‐stricken countries (Hollis, ; Morsut, ; Wendling, ). The EU routinely supports destabilized countries outside the EU through a variety of civil–military missions (Cottey, ; Jones, ; Kirchner & Sperling, ; Norheim‐Martinsen, ; Tercovich, ).…”

DesigningEUCrisis Management Capacities: Filling the Glass

“…Claudia Morsut () then discusses recent developments with regard to the EU's civil protection mechanism. Giulia Tercovich () analyzes recent efforts in the EU's External Action Service to build a crisis management apparatus. The articles by Jan Orbie, Peter Van Elsuwege and Fabienne Bossuyt () and Morten Broberg () take a detailed look at the modernization efforts of the EU's oldest instrument in this arena: the provision of humanitarian aid.…”