The European Gendarmerie Force: beyond potential

The European Gendarmerie Force (EUROGENDFOR), a multinational European police initiative designed to contribute to international crisis management capabilities, recently passed its fifth anniversary. Although EUROGENDFOR can call on a modest track record of international peace-support operations and other activities to date, it has not yet developed as an initiative to the extent that many of the main expectations and goals would imply.

This policy brief seeks to analyse EUROGENDFOR in line with the original thinking that dates back to the 2004 Declaration of Intent and addresses a number of developmental challenges that the Force faces in reaching its full potential. The brief argues that more needs to be done to link and position EUROGENDFOR in the world of international policing and, more generally, global security. This is especially the case in respect of European Union crisis management operations. The brief notes that many international policing challenges and needs relate closely to the various individual and collective abilities that the contributing national forces of EUROGENDFOR possess. The development of a far-reaching strategy for the future geared towards a more demand-driven approach, together with a bit of verve, may serve EUROGENDFOR well.