Defence ministers from France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands signed an agreement on Friday (17 September) in the Dutch town of Noordwijk to form a joint paramilitary force.
The 3,000-strong European Gendarmerie Force (EGF) will be based in Vicenza in north-east Italy and is designed to help restore public order to regions emerging from conflict such as the Balkans and beyond.
Michelle Alliot-Marie, the French defence minister, said the force was designed for "post-co...
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Lisbeth founded EUobserver in 2000 and is responsible to the Board for effective strategic leadership, planning and performance. After graduating from the Danish School of Media and Journalism, she worked as a journalist, analyst, and editor for Danish media.