List of military and civilian missions of the European Union



The European Union (EU) has undertaken a number of overseas missions and operations, drawing on civilian and military capabilities, in several countries across three continents (Europe, Africa and Asia), as part of its Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). The operation or mission in question will work in agreement and coordination with the EU delegations, until 2009 known as the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP).

The decision to deploy - together with any subsequent management of - the mission or operation in question, will ultimately be taken by the EU member states in the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC).

All CSDP missions and operations are given a prefix depending on the nature of the mission, which is either military or civilian.

Naming of missions
Abbreviated prefixes of military missions/operation: The military missions of the EU that involve combat are also referred to as operations. The operations are named as if the multinational force conducting it is established specifically for the unique operation, which is often the case. The force may however also consist of permanent multinational forces such as the European Corps.

Abbreviated prefixes of civilian missions:
 * Military advisory mission (EUMAM)
 * Aviation security mission (EUAVSEC)
 * Rule of law mission (EULEX)
 * Mission in support of the security sector reform (EUSSR)
 * Integrated rule of law mission (EUJUST)
 * Mission to provide advice and assistance for security sector reform (EUSEC)
 * Monitoring mission (EUMM)
 * Advisory mission (EUAM)
 * Police advisory team (EUPAT)
 * Police advisory team (EUPAT)
 * Police advisory team (EUPAT)
 * Police advisory team (EUPAT)

Types of headquarters
The Council nominates headquarters for each mission, referred to as mission headquarters. Military CSDP missions with elements of combat are also referred to as operations, in which case the headquarters are referred to as operational headquarters (OHQs).

The selected OHQ runs the operation at the strategic level and directs the force headquarters (FHQ), which carries out the operation on the ground.

Since the first EU operation was deployed in 2003, four types of OHQs have been employed:
 * National parent headquarters: Headquarters made available by EU member states. Example: Northwood Headquarters manages Operation Atalanta.
 * Allied Command Operations (ACO) of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO): Headquarters, located in Mons, Belgium, made available by NATO under the 'Berlin Plus agreement'. Example: ACO manages EUFOR Althea.
 * Local Mission Headquarters: Headquarters situated in the country in which a training mission (EUTM) takes place. Examples: EUTMs in Somalia and Mali have local Mission Headquarters situated in Mogadishu, Somalia and Bamako, Mali, respectively.
 * European Union Operations Centre (EU OPCEN): A body that may be established to plan and conduct military operations. This non-standing, ad-hoc headquarters is operational five days following a decision by the Council, and would reach its full capability to command the operation after twenty days, at the latest. The EU OPCEN has no command responsibility, and respects existing chain of command.
 * Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC): A part of the European Union Military Staff (EUMS), which is a Directorate-General of the European External Action Service (EEAS).

Historical proposals
EUFOR proposed:
 * 1 April 2011: European Union Military Operation in Libya (EUFOR Libya): Proposed as a complement to NATO's aerial bombing campaign and no-fly zone in the Libyan Civil War.