European Ministers approved the launch of a new civilian Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) mission, EUCAP Nestor, to support regional maritime capacity-building in the Horn of Africa and Western Indian Ocean states. The Council also approved a new CSDP mission to support the fight against organised crime and terrorism in the Sahel region: EUCAP SAHEL Niger.

In order to fight against piracy, the Council launched new civilian Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) mission, EUCAP Nestor, to support regional maritime capacity-building in the Horn of Africa and Western Indian Ocean states. According to the Council, EUCAP Nestor is part of the EU's comprehensive approach to fighting piracy and instability in the region. A team of around 175 people will work to reinforce the capacity of states in the region to effectively govern their territorial waters. The EU expanded the Operation Atalanta in February 2010.

The new mission have as objectives to strengthen the sea-going maritime capacities in the countries in the region (with the exception of Somalia) and in Somalia, the training of a coastal police force as well as of judges. It will give expert advice on legal, policy and operational matters concerning maritime security, deliver coast guard training and help to procure the necessary equipment.

On the other hand, the Council gave the green light for a new Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) mission, the EUCAP SAHEL Niger, to support the fight against organised crime and terrorism in the Sahel region. The mission will in particular advise the different Nigerien security actors on the implementation of their security strategy, support regional coordination in the fight against terrorism and organised crime and assist in developing a penal process based on the rule of law. The mission will also contribute to identifying projects in the security field that could be financed from EU assistance. It will not have any executive tasks.