EU men with guns: A comedy of errors
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
- EU parliament votes on new commission next week
- Berlusconi wants Europe to be a military global power
- Orban ordered to apologise over 'misleading' Soros survey
- EPP to decide on expelling Fidesz by end of January
- Rowdy anti-corruption protest in Malta
- Ambassador: Trump ordered Ukraine election meddling
- EU links Libyan government to human trafficking
- Greek PM on migration: 'Greece has reached its limits'
Magazine
Welcome to the EU engine room
Welcome to the EU engine room: the European Parliament (EP's) 22 committees, which churn out hundreds of new laws and non-binding reports each year and which keep an eye on other European institutions.
Finland: EU 'not brain dead' on enlargement
EU countries have given a mixed reaction to French proposals on enlargement reform, but ongoing talks did not mean the process had stalled, Finland said.
Very private security
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
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.
About Andrew Rettman
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Catherine Ashton's foreign service is to spend €15 million on private security firms to protect diplomats in dangerous places.
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