The EU is increasingly considered and acceptable third party alternative in interventions in the Middle East. Two European Security and Defence Policy missions are currently deployed in the region (EU Border Assistance Mission –EUBAM- deployed at the Rafah crossing point and the EU mission for the reform of the Palestinian Police -EUPOL-COPPS) and EU member states have made large contributions to the UNIFIL-II mission in Lebanon.

However, third party missions carry high risks and costs as long as there is no political agreement between the parties. CITpax aims to contribute to develop further the effective engagement of the EU in the region by analysing and putting forward new formulas that would maximise the potential of existing and future contributions to the conflict to the conflict resolution and peace-building processes in the Middle East – mainly in the shape of ESDP missions.

Projects and activities include