ATHENA




  • ATHENA was set up by the Council of the European Union on 1 March 2004 to administer the financing of common costs of EU operations having military or defence implications. The Council Decision establishing ATHENA was amended in late 2004, early 2005, early 2007 and in late 2008. Its review is foreseen after every operation and at least every 18 months.
  • ATHENA deals with:
    • EU military operations in the classical sense
      In this course of action, costs financed in common are listed at annexes appended to the Council Decision establishing ATHENA; additional costs may be decided on a case-by-case basis.
    • EU military supporting actions, decided by the Council in support of a third state or a third organisation.
      In the second instance, costs eligible for common funding will be determined by the Council on a case-by-case basis
  • ATHENA is managed under the authority of a Special Committee composed of representatives of the Member States contributing to the financing of each operation.
    Together with the Commission which attends the Special Committee's meetings, Third States contributing to the financing of an operation may take part in its meeting, although not in its vote.
  • In accordance with the Treaty of the European Union, Member States' contributions to ATHENA are based on the GNI scale.

 
Arrow-green 3 Factsheet: Financing of ESDP operations, June 2007