Presentation of civil capacities of Western Balkans countries for participation in peacekeeping missions

Belgrade Centre for Security Policy organized on October 21st 2014 a presentation of findings from regional maping study on civil capacities for peacekeeping missions. 

BCSP researcher Marko Milosevic and Gordan Bosanac from the Center for Peace Studies from Croatia presented findings from their countries and a regional perspective. The objectives of the project and the logic of intervention have been presented, with an emphasis on partnership with the state.

The meeting was attended by Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office in Belgrade Peter Due, Maneesha Doig from the UN Office in Belgrade, Oliver Ulich, Head of Partnership in the UN Department for Peacekeeping Operations DPKO, Adam Smith from the International Peace Institute, as well as Iva Savic from the SEESAC.

Representatives of the UN recognized the importance of civilian capacities and what are the Western Balkan countries, as post-conflict countries, have new to offer. The biggest consideration was given to UN civilian operations, while the EU civilian operations have been considered only in the context of Croatia and participation of police officers.

It was emphasized that the UN has been considering the problems of military operations at a meeting in Belgrade, and that the study on civilian capacities is a qualitative step forward towards new challenges which, in the future, UN is going to deal with.

Further cooperation in this field has been proposed, and the contribution of BCSP and regional partners in the project Providing for Peacekeeping lead by the International Peace Institute was recognized.