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Synchronized Armed Forces Europe (SAFE) is a concept for an ever closer synchronization of the European forces under the European Security and Defense Policy.

The concept was adopted on the 10th November 2008 by Hans-Gert Pöttering, President of the European Parliament during the 7th Berlin security conference.

On 21 January 2009 agreed Committee on Foreign Affair of the European Parliament with a large majority for the concept and added it in the annual report of the European Parliament on European Security and Defence Policy. Council of the European Union are currently discussing the implementation of the concept.

Contents 1 Contents of the concept 2 Objectives of the concept 3 Recent developments 4 References 5 External links

[edit] Contents of the concept

SAFE is based on voluntary participation (opt-in model) and should lead to a synchronization of the European forces lead. That the Euro or Schengen Area used procedure offers sufficient leeway for the neutral and military alliances in related members of the EU. This process and the mandate under ESDP forces posted SAFE is the name "Synchronized Armed Forces Europe" process. SAFE encourages the dynamic development of cooperation today only deepened the national armed forces towards an ever closer synchronization. SAFE approves the principle of a Europe-wide division of labor in military capabilities. In addition, SAFE to military careers in the national armed forces for all Europeans, from the member countries to open. This is already in the Belgian armed forces, and initially in the German-Dutch reservists use practices. As part of SAFE is a European statute for soldiers to use to be developed, the training standards, operational doctrine and freedom of action, questions of rights and obligations and the quality of equipment and medical care and social security in case of death, injury and invalidity regulates.

[edit] Objectives of the concept

SAFE aims to develop an integrated European security structures. These will be civil and military abilities and a wide social acceptance in the member countries reach.

[edit] Recent developments

On 20 Feb 2009 the European Parliament voted yes to create "SAFE" (Synchronized Armed Forces Europe) as a first step towards a true European military force. SAFE will be directed by an EU directorate, with its own training standards and operational doctrine. There are also plans to create an EU "Council of Defence Ministers" and "a European statute for soldiers within the framework of Safe governing training standards, operational doctrine and freedom of operational action".^[1]

[edit] References

• " Neue Entwicklungen und Ansätze für ein Europa der Verteidigung", Rede von Hans-Gert Pöttering, MdEP, Präsident des Europäischen Parlaments anlässlich der Siebenten Berliner Sicherheitskonferenz, Berlin, 10. November 2008.
• Bericht über die Rede Pötterings.
• Pressemitteilung des Vorsitzenden des Unterausschusses für Sicherheit und Verteidigung des Europäischen Parlamentes vom 9. Dezember 2008.
• Bericht über das SAFE-Konzept in der Bundeswehr-Zeitschrift "Aktuell".

[edit] External links

• European Defence Agency - official website
• European Defence (NGO) - independent information on EU military capabilities
• Online Resource Guide to EU Foreign Policy