Second CENCOOP Defence Ministers' Meeting
Wien, 19. März 1998 - CENCOOP is based on the terms of the Partnership for Peace Programme. Accordingly, each country participates within the terms as stated individually in PfP. Thus, CENCOOP will be a complementary effort to foster cooperation among neighbouring countries within the successful framework of Partnership for Peace.
For all these reasons Austria initiated the "Central European Nations COOPeration In Peace Support" and appreciates the overwhelming response of the partner countries to this regional cooperation and the excellent work having been accomplished by the multinational Preliminary Coordination Group."
CENCOOP Fact Sheet
Central European Nations Cooperation in Peace Support
Rationale Increased challenges in and for Peace Support Operations (PSO): The initiative is a multinational programme of activities of smaller countries in Central Europe, based on complexity, multifunctionality, non-traditional tasks, multinationality within contingents, interoperability, interlocking with other components, as well as role specialization, readiness, mobility, rapid and flexible reaction and mission tailoring according to the mandate.
Aim To improve the capabilities of the Central European Nations in order to respond more effectively to Peace Support Operations' (PSO) challenges and archieve a higher profile through regional cooperation.
Participants Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Rumania.
Czech Republic and Switzerland have oberserver status.
Principles Modular composition, complementary to other initiatives, wide spectrum, national self-differentiation, regional familitarity, open to others, ad hoc cooperation possible
Framework and Scope UN Standby Arrangement System, NATO/Partnership for Peace (PfP). Full range of PSO. Conflict prevention, peacekeeping, peace enforcement, peace building and peacemaking, humanitarian operations. Participation in operations will remain subject to national decisions.
Mechanism Defence Ministers' Meeting (policy level)
Steering Committee (executive level) supported by a Secretariat
Coordination Group (coordinating working level)
Working Groups (expert support level)
Multinational Planning Staff (permanent working level)