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
- UK's May announces June 7 resignation date
- Ireland votes for EU election and divorce referendum
- Report: May to announce resignation plan on Friday
- Leading politicians: time for EU to have female leaders
- Poll: Finland's Green party to surge in EU elections
- High demand for postal voting in Denmark
- Some EU citizens turned away at UK polling stations
- Switzerland unlikely to sign draft EU deal
Agenda
EU election results to trigger top jobs scramble This WEEK
After EU citizens go to the polls over the weekend, the political haggling over key EU positions starts immediately next week. And the parliament and member states seem set to clash.
Magazine
All about the European Parliament elections 2019
EUobserver's new magazine is meant to help readers prepare for the European Parliament elections, no matter their level of knowledge. You can download and read the entire magazine now.
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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