US-Europe World Affairs

Our Partner-Friends in the United States and Europe

 

Kingdom of Belgium Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation 

 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

 

 

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland 

 

 

 

 

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark

 

United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

 

Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade

 

 

 U.S Army NATO Brigade

United States Army NATO was established by General Order 46, effective 20 December 1950. The Command was organized as a special field activity, assigned to Headquarters Department of the Army.  U.S. Army NATO conducts individual Soldier and Family training, logistics, human resources, and administrative agent support at USANATO locations in order to provide ready and resilient Soldiers, develop leaders, maintain our joint and multinational partnerships, and enhance an evolving Alliance.

Arctic Forge 23

U.S Forces in Exercise Arctic Forge

Arctic Forge 23 is a U.S. Army Europe and Africa-led umbrella exercise for U.S. contributions to partner-hosted exercises in Finland and Norway, focused on building Arctic military capabilities and cooperation. Timeline: February. 16 through March 17, 2023.

 

 DEFENDER-Europe 22

is a large-scale U.S. Army Europe and Africa-directed, multinational, joint exercise designed to build readiness and interoperability between U.S. and NATO allies and partners militaries.

 

U.S. Chairmanship of the Arctic Council 2015-2017  (Department of State)

The United States held the two-year rotating Chairmanship of the Arctic Council from April 24, 2015 to May 11, 2017. The Arctic Council chairmanship offered the United States an opportunity to make significant progress on our Arctic policy objectives. 

During the U.S. chairmanship, the State Department coordinated a number of projects and initiatives through the Arctic Council’s subsidiary bodies under three thematic areas: improving economic and living conditions; Arctic Ocean safety, security and stewardship; and addressing the impacts of climate change.  The overarching theme, “One Arctic: Shared Opportunities, Challenges and Responsibilities,” recognized and celebrated the region’s long term peace and stability.

 

Center for Transatlantic Relations of Johns Hopkins University

The Center for Transatlantic Relations is part of the Johns Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). The center is a focal point for international academic programs, scholars,  government officials, parliamentarians, journalists, business executives and other opinion leaders on contemporary challenges facing Europe and North America.

The main goal of the center is to promote and strengthen transatlantic partnerships.  The academic areas:  Democracy and Human Rights,  Digital Policy, European Union, Energy, Gender and Women in the Boardroom,  Northern Europe, NATO, Russia and Eastern Europe, Security and Resilience, The Mediterranean Basin, The Atlantic Basin, Trade and Economics.

American Chamber of Commerce in Sweden

With its central concept of  Thriving together, the Transatlantic Economy– the United States Chamber of Commerce in Sweden, since 1992,  has promoted U.S.-Swedish trade and investment and U.S. commercial interests in Sweden.

AMCHAM champions Transatlantic Trade:  

• Works to build  a stronger Transatlantic business community, fostering innovation the creation of shared value.
• Promotes  Swedish-American  trade and investment, delivering critical business information to the member companies.
• It builds platforms for networking knowledge sharing and advocacy for Swedish-American businesses to discuss issues including trade investment, sustainability and more.
• AMCHAM is the voice of American business in Sweden, facilitating experiences and opportunities that foster new ideas and vital connections.

   

 

Belgium’s Candidacy for the UN Security Council 2019/2020

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Didier Reynders launched  in New York, in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen and of the Permanent Representatives to the UN, the Belgian campaign for a seat at the United Nations Security Council for the 2019 and 2020 period.  The Foreign Ministry announced Belgium’s vision as:                          “Fostering Consensus,  Acting  for  Peace”

As an original founders of the United Nations, in 1945, Belgium signed the UN Charter along with 50 other countries.  And since then it has been actively engaged in contributing to Peace and Security in Europe and in the World. Its role has been, not limited, but also covers the critical areas of Conflict Management, Mediation and Peacebuilding within the UN.

  Germany’s OSCE Presidency 2016

On 1 January 2016 Germany assumed the Chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Co operation in Europe (OSCE) and is now responsible for steering the Organization safely through the stormy tides of crises and challenges in 2016. This is the second time that Germany has headed the world’s largest Regional Security Organization, the previous time was in 1991.

The Netherlands Presidency of the Council of the European Union  2016

Maryland National Guard

The Maryland National Guard is made up of Army National Guard and Air National Guard units, which fall under the Joint Force Headquarters.

The MD National Guard traces its roots to 25 March 1634, when two militia captains were amongst 150-odd colonists who disembarked in the new world to form the first European settlement in what would become Maryland.

When the U.S. entered World War I in 1917, the Guard was quickly called up to prevent sabotage. One unit, the 117th Trench Mortar Battalion was promptly deployed overseas, where it became the first Maryland National Guard unit to see combat and went on to participate in nearly every major campaign in which U.S. forces fought. Before long, much of the remainder of the Guard was on its way to France. During World War II, Maryland National Guard units served with great distinction. As part of the 29th Infantry Division, Marylanders took part in the D-Day landings of June 1944 and fought their way across France, Holland, and Germany. 

The Maryland National Guard’s State Partnership Program (SPP) maintains partnerships with two countries in Europe—Estonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The SPP was launched in Europe as part of the initial outreach by the U.S toward new democracies in Central, Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. The SPP brings together U.S. states and territories with partner nations through a range of military and civil-military activities under the Maryland Military Department auspices. The partnership program emphasizes civil and military cooperation with civil control of a professional military. Maryland has a key role in this international initiative to foster democracy, encourage market economies, promote regional cooperation and stability.

The U.S. Army Europe and Africa  

U.S. Army Europe and Africa provides ready, combat-credible land forces to deter, and, if necessary, defeat aggression from any potential adversary in Europe and Africa. To achieve this, U.S. Army Europe and Africa sets the essential conditions necessary, and is prepared to serve as a Combined Joint Force Land Component Command, to fight and win across the full spectrum of military operations from contingency response to large-scale, ground combat operations.  To respond to crisis the right forces must get to the right place at the right time. U.S. Army Europe and Africa sets the theater to ensure the agile flow of forces into and throughout both the African and European theaters to respond to crisis if called upon.   

The United States stands by its allies and partners as they have stood by us. Because our allies and partners are key to the U.S. Army’s overall strength, the command builds and sustains strong relationships, and promotes multinational military interoperability and capacity building.  The U.S. Army Europe and Africa tiered exercise program builds readiness, enhances interoperability and strengthens relationships by providing a joint, multinational environment to prepare allies and partners to train as they fight. 

Training together now builds relationships and provides shared understanding when conflict occurs.  We enhance our combined capabilities through the continued emphasis on interoperability, modernization, and building partner capacity. Interoperability is not just about systems and technology; it’s about people, processes and relationships that build stronger teams, foster overmatch, and increase lethality.  U.S. Army Europe and Africa is also responsible for :

• The Georgia Defense Readiness Program-Training,
• Supporting the NATO Enhanced Forward Presence effort with forces in Poland,
• A constant presence in the NATO-led KFOR mission in Kosovo,
• And Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine training missions.
• Additionally, U.S. Army Europe and Africa participates in security cooperation events on both continents each year. Supported by Security Force Assistance Brigades and National Guard state partners, these enhance our professional relationships and improve overall interoperability with allies and partners.

Army Europe: 

• Provides a visible symbol of U.S. commitment to the region and our European allies.
• Ensures US strategic access to Europe and beyond through a frequency and intensity of interaction with allies and partners that greatly exceed that achievable by CONUS-based forces.
• Enables the development of stronger relationships that set the conditions for multinational interoperability.

U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa / U.S. 6th Fleet

The United States Naval Forces Europe-Africa Command (NAVEUR-NAVAF) is the component of the U.S European Command  and  the U.S Africa Command.  

The NAVEUR – NAVAF  Command have  the responsibilities of  approximately half of the Atlantic Ocean, from the North Pole to Antarctica; as well as the Adriatic, Baltic, Barents, Black, Caspian, Mediterranean and North Seas.  And it covers all of Russia, Europe and nearly the entire continent of Africa encompassing 105 countries with a combined population over one billion and includes a landmass extending more than 14 million square miles.

                                   

NATO Mission in Kosovo KFOR

Under the authority of the United Nations (UN Security Council Resolution 1244) NATO has been leading a Peace Support Operation in Kosovo since June 1999 in support of wider International efforts to build Peace and Stability in the area. 

1. Contribute to a safe and secure environment
2. Support and coordinate the international humanitarian effort and civil presence
3. Support the development of a stable, democratic, multi-ethnic and peaceful Kosovo
4. Support the development of the Kosovo Security Force

Today, approximately 5,000 Troops from the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR), provided by 31 countries (23 NATO and 8 KFOR partners) continue to contribute towards maintaining a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all citizens, irrespective of their ethnic origin.

The HQ of KFOR is located at Camp Film City, Pristina under the authority of rotating Commander of KFOR (COMKFOR)  

The United States Air Forces in Europe and Africa ‘USAFE-AFAFRICA’ 

The U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Africa  ‘USAFE-AFAFRICA’ , with headquarters at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, is a major Command of the U.S. Air Force. It is the Air component for two Department of Defense unified Commands – U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command.  During most of the Cold War, USAFE-AFAFRICA was a fight-in-place Force postured for a large-scale conflict.  Since the fall of the Soviet Union, it has transitioned to an Air Expeditionary Force with a Mobile and Deployable mix of people and resources that can simultaneously Operate in Multiple Locations.

The Operational Missions

• To executes the Air Force, USEUCOM and USAFRICOM missions with forward-based Airpower and infrastructure and to conduct and enable theater and Global Operations.
• To direct Air Operations in a theater spanning three Continents, covering more than 15 million square miles, containing 104 independent states, and possessing more than one-fifth of the World’s population and more than a quarter of the world’s gross domestic product
• Its role includes War-fighting
• The Humanitarian Relief, Peacekeeping Operations
• And other non-Traditional Contingencies throughout its area of responsibility.

In peacetime, U.S Air Forces Europe-Africa, Trains and equips Air-Force Units pledged to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization ‘NATO’  and to the Peace and Stability of African States.  In fulfilling its NATO responsibilities, USAFE-AFAFRICA maintains Combat-ready Wings Based from the United Kingdom to Turkey.  The U.S. Air Forces in Europe -and the U.S Air Forces in Africa: Plans, Conducts, Controls, Coordinates and Supports Air and Space Operations in Europe and Africa to achieve U.S. National and NATO objectives based on tasking by the USEUCOM and USAFRICOM Commanders.  The  USAFE-AFAFRICA has seven main Operating Bases along with 114 geographically separated Locations, working closely with the Allied to foster Strong Europe,  and maintain Security and Peace in the World. 

European Union Naval Force Somalia –  Operation ATALANTA 

was launched in December 2008, within the framework of the European Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolutions  and the International Law.  With the Comprehensive Approach, the Operational area covers the Southern Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and a large part of the Indian Ocean, including the Seychelles, Mauritius, Comoros, the Somalia’s coastal and internal waters. 

The Operational Mandate:

• To Protect World Food Programme (WFP) Vessels delivering aid to displaced persons in Somalia, and African Union Mission on Somalia (AMISOM) shipping.
• To Deter, prevent and disrupt piracy and armed robbery at Sea
• To Protect vulnerable shipping off the Somali Coast on a case by case basis
• To Supports other EU Missions and International Organizations working to strengthen Maritime Security and capacity in the Region
• In addition, the EU NAVFOR also contributes to the monitoring of fishing activities off the coast of Somalia

  

The European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo  EULEX

is one of the largest Law-Enforcement Mission under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), launched by EU Member States in February 2008, and reached full Operational capacity in April 2009. The central aim of the mission is to assist and support the Kosovo Authorities in the Rule of  Law, specifically in the Police, Judiciary and Customs areas.

EULEX implements its Mandate through Four Operational Objectives:

• Monitoring, Mentoring and Advising 
• Executive  Objective
• North  Objective
• Support to Dialogue Implementation Objective

With the Headquarters in Pristina and Kosovo, EULEX has a unified Chain of Command to the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and to EU Member States (Political and Security Committee).  The Contributing Nations are from most of EU member States as well as Canada, Norway, Switzerland, Turkey, and the United States.

The European Union Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine  EUBAM   

was launched in 2005.  With four-times extension, the Mission has its  Mandate  until 30 November 2017. EUBAM Operates  to promote border control, customs and trade norms and practices that meet EU standards and serve the needs of its two partner countries.  The Mission is headquartered  in Odesa (Ukraine). It has an EUBAM Office in Moldova and five field offices – two on the Moldovan side of the joint border and three on the Ukrainian side.

The Mission’s Objectives:
• To work with Moldova and Ukraine to harmonize border control, and customs and trade standards and procedures with those in EU Member States
• To improve cross-border cooperation between the border guard and customs agencies and other Law-Enforcement bodies; facilitate International cooperation
• To assist Moldova-Ukraine to fulfill the obligations of the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) they have signed as part of their Association Agreements with the EU
• To contribute to the peaceful settlement of the Transnistrian conflict through confidence building measures and a monitoring presence at the Transnistrian segment of the Moldova-Ukraine border

 

European Union Monitoring Mission in Georgia  EUMM  

is an unarmed Civilian Monitoring Mission of the European Union. The Mission was launched in  September 2008 following the EU-mediated Six Point Agreement which ended the August war.

The Objectives:

• To ensure that there is no return to hostilities
• To facilitate the resumption of a safe and normal life for the local communities living on both sides of the Administrative Boundary Lines (ABL) with Abkhazia and South Ossetia 
• To build confidence among the conflict parties
• To inform EU policy in Georgia and the wider region 

   

European Union Military Operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Operation ALTHEA  is the European Union’s Military Contribution to the Stabilization and Integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina into the European Family of Nations. The Operation was launched in December 2004. It  has contributed to the maintenance of the safe and secure environment in BiH ever since. The launch of Operation ALTHEA followed the decision by NATO  to conclude its SFOR-Operation and the adoption by the UN Security Council of resolution 1575 authorizing the deployment of an EU Force (EUFOR) in BiH.  The European Union’s Mission Statement.

In the framework of Operation ALTHEA, the EU initially deployed 7000 troops, to ensure continued compliance with the General Framework Agreement for Peace (GFAP) in BiH and to contribute to a safe and secure environment. Operation ALTHEA is carried out with recourse to NATO Assets and Capabilities, under the ‘Berlin Plus Agreement’

 

The European Paratroopers Association ‘EPA’  based in Italy.

The European Paratroopers Association is an independent organization of Active, Reserve and Retired Military and Police Parachutists founded by a group of European Paratroopers originally in 2001 as the European Military Parachute Association.  The EPD is a center that provides training in Parachuting and Combat Tactics/Techniques.

Mission: The primary mission of the European Paratroopers Association  is to train its members to improve their Military and Police skills and knowledge.  Every year the EPD offers comprehensive and advanced Airborne, Combat, Medical and Waterborne training, organize frequent Military training courses and promote international social events, medical and waterborne training.  The EPD  has a close cooperation with Elite Military and Police Units in Europe, USA, Russia and Ukraine in order to perform joint Military and Police training and take part in different International Military Exercise. And it supports worldwide Military and Police Units, Government Reserve Organizations and National Paratroopers Associations interested in and performing Military Tactical training and Military Parachute Jumps.

 

    

The Diplomatic Delegation of the European Union to the United States of America

The European Union is a unique Economic and Political partnership among 28 Diverse Democracies united in their commitment to Peace, Democracy, the Rule of Law, and Respect for Human Rights. It is Represented in the United States by the Washington DC Delegation of the European Union. The Delegation Represents the European Union in relations with the U.S. Government in areas that are part of the EU’s remit. It promotes EU policies in the United States, which includes presenting and explaining  EU actions to the U.S. Administration and Congress, while engaging with Political Actors, the Media, Academia, Business, and Civil Society. It also raises awareness of EU issues and concerns, and promotes the importance of the EU-U.S. Relationship. The EU Delegation, simultaneous, analyzes and reports on the Political, Social, and Economic situation in the U.S. to its Headquarters in Brussels.

 Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis,

originally from Dutch ‘Central Planning Bureau’ CPB, was founded in 1945.  The Bureau is a part of the Ministry of Economic Affairs. And its director is appointed by the Minister, in consultation with other members of the Government. However, in its work and content, CPB is fully independent with its own Legal Mandate and Executive Advisory Committee. Its Central Planning Committee (CPC) is currently chaired by Hans Smits.

Research Projects at CPB are carried out on CPB’s own initiative, or at the request of:

• The Government
• The Parliament
• Individual Members of Parliament
• The National Trade Unions

The Founding Director of ‘Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis’ CPB was   Jan Tinbergen (1945-1955) the Pioneer of Econometrics and Laureate of the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 1969.

   Theresan Military Academy of Austria 

 founded by Empress Maria Theresa in 1751, is a highly Prestigious, the oldest  Military Institution only second to Italian Military Academy of Modena, in the World.

The Academy since, 2005, has been exchanging lecturers and students with other countries. The main purpose is to increase Interoperability and Intercultural Competence  so as to manage future challenges. The “European Initiative for the exchange of young Officers inspired by ERASMUS” is a EU-programme that emphasizes the importance of the International exchange programmes. Within that  The Theresan Military Academy offers various moduls and has taken over the lead for the Peace Support Operations Module within the EU.

  

The Center for Security Studies (CSS) at ETH Zurich

is a center of competence for Swiss and International Security Policy. It offers security policy expertise in research, teaching, and consultancy and operates the International Relations and Security Network (ISN). The CSS promotes understanding of Security Policy challenges as a contribution to a more Peaceful World. Its work is independent, practice-relevant, and based on a sound academic footing.

The CSS combines research and policy consultancy and, as such, functions as a bridge between Academia and Practice. It trains highly qualified junior researchers and serves as a point of contact and information for the interested public. The CSS also operates the International Relations and Security Network (ISN) as a leading global open-source information platform in the field of International Relations and Security Policy.

The International Relations and Security Network (ISN) 

is one of the World’s leading Organisations founded by the Center for Security Studies at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology.

Since its inception in 1994, the International Relation Security Network in Zurich has been engaged on: facilitating Security-related dialogue and cooperation within a trusted network of International organizations, Professionals and Experts, and has been providing open-source on International Relations and Security-Related subjects.

The Organization’s Achievements:

• Facilitating policy debates and Security-related dialogue;
• Raising the expertise of the institutions and individuals who benefit from the above efforts through active knowledge sharing and collaboration;
• Being a driving International Relations and Security-Centered Force in web-based content/data distribution and management.  The ISN Regional Research and Subjects

  Peace Operations Training Institute ‘POTI’

  is an International non-governmental organization based in the United States. POTI provides courses on Peace Support, Humanitarian Relief, and Security Operations in English with varied availability in French, Spanish, Portuguese and Arabic. The Institute is sponsored  by several European Ministry of Foreign Affairs, among other funders. And its Board of Directors is chaired by Major General Tim Ford (Retd) of Australia. 

View The Peace Operations Training Institute Newsletter Archive

 

 

Acknowledgment

The Presentations and facts on this page are directly from the related academic, governmental and military Departments and Organizations.

 

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