(2) what progress has been made in the EU’s military missions in Chad and Central African Republic; and if he will make a statement.
The deployment of the EU military mission to Chad and the Central African Republic is progressing on schedule and there are now over 2,500 troops in theatre. Initial operating capability was achieved on 15 March and the operation commander intends the operation to reach full operational capability by the end of June 2008.
The increasing presence of EUFOR troops on the ground has been broadly welcomed by international NGOs and UN agencies and the EUFOR mission is continuing to establish effective liaison with the UN on the parallel deployment of the UN policing mission (MINURCAT).
A joint EU/UN Technical Assessment Mission (TAM) will take place in June 2008. This will feed into the UN Secretary-General’s mid-mandate report on EUFOR in September, which will identify follow-on options. This review process will provide a formal assessment of progress that has been made under EUFOR Tchad/RCA so far.