Berlin Plus agreement

Content

1. The NATO-EU Security Agreement, which covers the exchange of classified information under reciprocal security protection rules.
2. Assured Access to NATO planning capabilities for EU-led Crisis Management Operations.
3. Availability of NATO assets and capabilities for EU-led CMOs, such as communication units and headquarters.
4. Procedures for Release, Monitoring, Return and Recall of NATO Assets and Capabilities.
5. Terms of Reference for the Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe and European Command Options for NATO.
6. Arrangements for coherent and mutually reinforcing capability requirements, in particular the incorporation within NATO's defence planning of the military needs and capabilities that may be required for EU-led military operations.
7. EU - NATO consultation arrangements in the context of an EU-led CMO making use of NATO assets and capabilities.

Practice

Procedures

• The use of NATO assets by the EU is subject to a "right of first refusal" : NATO must first decline to intervene in a given crisis.
• Approval of the use of assets has to be unanimous among NATO states. For example, Turkish reservations about Operation Concordia using NATO assets delayed its deployment by more than five months.

  Operations

• 2003: EUFOR Concordia in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The EU took over from NATO's operation Allied Harmony and deployed around 300 troops to provide security to EU and Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe monitors overseeing the implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement.
• 2004+: EUFOR Althea in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Following NATO's decision at the 2004 Istanbul summit to terminate the mission of NATO's Stabilisation Force by the end of the year, the EU started its own 7,000-strong mission, EUFOR Althea, in the country with the aim to implement the military aspects of the Dayton Peace Agreement and to maintain a safe and secure environment.