EU men with guns: A comedy of errors

17. Apr 2013, 16:47

The EU foreign service just did a U-turn on a €50mn tender for bodyguards in Kabul, with leaked documents posing questions how a British firm with a frightening track record won it in the first place.

News in Brief

15. Jan, 07:28 EU court and Irish dog make history
15. Jan, 07:27 EU plans to pay farmers to reduce animal emissions
15. Jan, 07:25 Greece agrees to buy 18 French fighter jets
15. Jan, 07:15 France tightens curfew in EU corona-mosaic
15. Jan, 07:06 Von der Leyen red-faced over Croatia election video
15. Jan, 07:05 Romania to reopen schools after three-month shutdown
15. Jan, 07:04 Dutch government on brink of collapse over child allowances
15. Jan, 07:03 Netherlands loses EU court case on asylum boy

Green Deal

Potential for future pandemics? 'Extremely high,' MEPs told

15. Jan, 07:04

It is estimated that there are about 1.7 million undiscovered viruses circulating currently in mammals and birds - of which up to 850,000 could end up infecting people.

How Belgian government got caught up in human smuggling

14. Jan, 07:03

Former Belgian minister Theo Francken gave one of his party friends the power to put Syrian Christians on a list to get Belgian humanitarian visa. This week that colleague was convicted of human smuggling.

Very private security

24. Apr 2013, 16:33

EU diplomats work in some of the world's most dangerous places. The men who guard them cost millions each year. But are they any good? Does the EU award the contracts fairly? Two recent fiascos pose the questions. EUobserver investigates.

EUobserver investigative reports

24. Apr 2013, 16:10

EUobserver's look at private security firms is the latest in its series of investigative reports. Our investigations aim to take a critical look at events behind the scenes in EU institutions or to explore the real meaning of EU decisions.

Investigation

About Andrew Rettman

22. Feb 2013, 09:20

Andrew Rettman writes about foreign relations for EUobserver. He joined the site in 2005 and specialises in Israel, Russia, the EU foreign service and security issues. He was born in Warsaw, Poland.

British firm to guard EU diplomats in Beirut

12. Aug 2013, 09:28

The EU has hired G4S, the world's largest security company, to guard its diplomats in Lebanon, amid increasing violence.

MEPs voice worry on security deals at EU embassies

15. Jul 2013, 09:25

MEPs have voiced concern about security arrangements at EU embassies, amid a "surprising" new decision on bodyguards in Kabul.

Controversial British firm wins EU security job in Gaza

30. Apr 2013, 09:22

The EU diplomatic service has confirmed that British company PPS will guard its people in Gaza and the West Bank despite the firm's poor track record.

Security firm wins EU contract despite tax problem

15. Mar 2013, 09:29

British private security firm Page Group has scooped a contract to protect EU diplomats in Afghanistan, but faces delays over local tax compliance.

EU bins security contract, annoys Libya

29. May 2012, 20:50

The EU foreign service has cancelled a €10 million contract with British security firm G4S in a minor diplomatic dispute with Libya.

Question marks over EU contract for Libya security firm

8. May 2012, 14:06

The EU's foreign relations service has awarded a juicy contract to British security firm G4S in Libya despite the fact it has no permission to work there.

EU to spend €50mn on private security in Afghanistan

11. May 2012, 09:24

The EU's external action service plans to spend up to €50 million on private security guards for its Afghanistan mission over the next four years.

Ashton to spend €15mn on private security firms

9. Mar 2012, 16:58

Catherine Ashton's foreign service is to spend €15 million on private security firms to protect diplomats in dangerous places.