European Centre of Excellence for Civilian Crisis Management opened in Berlin
The official opening of the European Centre of Excellence for Civilian Crisis Management took place in Berlin today. Johanna Sumuvuori, State Secretary for Political Affairs at the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, participated in the opening, which was hosted by Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany Heiko Maas. The purpose of the Centre of Excellence is to help find solutions to international conflicts through civilian means.
The new Centre of Excellence will support the development of civilian crisis management in the EU. The key issues include increasing the numbers of experts in civilian crisis management and enhancing their competence, education, and the theme Women, Peace and Security. The Centre of Excellence also supports the EU Member States in implementing their civilian crisis management commitments.
Finland’s profile is high
Finland has a high profile in developing civilian crisis management in the EU: every year about 120 experts are commissioned to international civilian crisis management tasks. In particular, Finland has stressed the need to give women a more prominent role in civilian crisis management to promote gender equality. In line with the objectives of the programme of Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s Government, during this Government term Finland’s contribution to this work should be raised to at least 150 experts a year. Finland was one of the first countries to dispatch a national expert to the Centre of Excellence.
In November 2018 the EU Member States agreed on the Civilian Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) Compact. This is composed of the commitments of the Member States, External Action Service of the EU and European Commission to develop civilian crisis management in the EU. The Centre of Excellence engages in close cooperation with the External Action Service of the EU, European Commission and NATO. The membership is open to all EU and NATO countries. Besides Finland, 17 other EU Member States are now taking part in the work done by the Centre of Excellence.
Inquiries: Sari Rautio, Director, Unit for Security Policy and Crisis Management, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 295 351 534, Vesa Kotilainen, Chief Specialist, International Affairs Unit, Ministry of the Interior, tel. +358 50 432 8441, Kirsi Henriksson, Director, CMC, +358 50 514 3554.