Eurofor

Eurofor
Active	1995
Country	France  Italy  Portugal  Spain
Allegiance	European Union
Branch	Rapid reaction force
Garrison/HQ	Florence, Italy

European Rapid Operational Force (Eurofor) is a multinational rapid reaction force composed of forces from France, Italy, Portugal and Spain. It has a permanent staff capable of commanding operations, involving commitments of up to a Light Division in size. Eurofor was formed in 1995, and was answerable to the Western European Union (WEU) directly. It is tasked with performing the so-called Petersberg tasks, including humanitarian, peacekeeping and peace enforcement missions. With the merger of several WEU elements into the European Union, Eurofor has by and large become part of the Common Security and Defence Policy. From July to December 2011, Eurofor will also act as a Battlegroup of the European Union.^[1]

Missions

The ribbon bar of the Eurofor Service Medal

Eurofor has been involved in two deployments, one in Albania and one in Macedonia.

"Mission Albania" was in response to a refugee crisis in Albania following the Kosovo War. The deployment was initially part of NATO operation "Allied Harbor" and once NATO ground forces entered Kosovo, Eurofor's mission also incorporated the defence of NATO supply lines through Albania.

"Mission Macedonia" was conducted under the wing of the European Union, as part of EUFOR Concordia. Formally, Eurofor became answerable directly to the European Union, through the Political and Security Committee. This operation began on 31 March 2003 when the Macedonian authorities invited assistance with the goal of the establishment of a stable and secure environment in Macedonia. This mission officially ended on 15 December 2004.

See also

• European Union Force (EUFOR)

• European Maritime Force (Euromarfor)

References

1. ^ "Change of Command". Eurofor. http://www.eurofor.it/2009/Latest_news_05_09.htm. Retrieved 2010-10-20. 

External links

• Eurofor web page
• The presentation of the Eurocorps-Foreign Legion concept at the European Parliament in June 2003
• EUFOR TCHAD/RCA