European Gendarmerie Force facts for kids

Quick facts for kids European Gendarmerie Force
Coat of arms
Active	2006–present
Country	7 states Italy France Netherlands Poland Portugal Romania Spain
Allegiance	European Union
Type	Gendarmerie force
Size	~ 800
Motto(s)	"Lex paciferat" (Latin) "The law will bring peace"
Colours	Blue
Website	eurogendfor.org
Insignia
Flag

The European Gendarmerie Force (often called EUROGENDFOR or EGF) is a special group made up of police and gendarmerie forces from different European countries. Think of it as a team of highly trained police officers and soldiers who can quickly respond to problems. Their main job is to help with policing tasks in places where there's a crisis or conflict.

This force was started in 2006 by an agreement between five countries in the European Union (EU): France, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain. Later, Romania joined in 2009, and Poland joined in 2011. Their rules are written down in a special agreement called the Treaty of Velsen from 2007. The main office for EUROGENDFOR is in Vicenza, Italy. It's important to know that EUROGENDFOR is not officially part of the EU, but it can help the EU with its security and defense plans when needed.

How the European Gendarmerie Force Started

The idea for EUROGENDFOR first came from the French Defence Minister, Michèle Alliot-Marie, in September 2003. She and the Italian Defense Minister, Antonio Martino, shared the idea with other European defense ministers.

Signing the Agreement

The agreement to create the force was signed on September 17, 2004. This happened in Noordwijk, Netherlands, with defense ministers from the five founding countries. On January 23, 2006, EUROGENDFOR was officially opened in Vicenza, Italy, with a military ceremony.

Becoming Fully Ready

EUROGENDFOR was declared fully ready to operate on July 20, 2006. This happened after they completed a successful training exercise. Their first big training exercise took place in France in June 2005.

New Members Join the Force

After Romania joined the European Union, its police force, the Romanian Gendarmerie, wanted to become part of EUROGENDFOR. They first became an observer and then a full member on March 3, 2009. The Polish Military Gendarmerie also wanted to join. They became a full member in December 2011.

What Missions Does EUROGENDFOR Do?

EUROGENDFOR helps with important missions around the world. They often work to bring peace and order to areas in crisis.

Helping in Afghanistan

Since December 2009, EUROGENDFOR has been part of a training mission in Afghanistan. They helped train the Afghan National Police. Members from France, Spain, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, and Portugal taught police officers how to do their jobs. They trained them in special centers and also went with them on missions to offer advice and support. This training helped the Afghan police become better at keeping their country safe.

Helping in Haiti

In early 2010, EUROGENDFOR also went to Haiti. This was after a big earthquake. Their job was to help with security and bring order back to the country after the disaster.

How EUROGENDFOR Works with the EU

It's sometimes confusing, but EUROGENDFOR is not actually an official part of the European Union. It cannot act inside EU countries, including the countries that are part of EUROGENDFOR.

Supporting EU Security Efforts

Even though it's not an EU body, EUROGENDFOR can still help the EU with its security and defense plans. When the EU needs a multinational force (a group of soldiers and police from different countries), EUROGENDFOR can offer its help. This means they work together when there's a big crisis that needs a combined effort.

How EUROGENDFOR is Organized

EUROGENDFOR's main base is in Vicenza, Italy. They have a core group of about 800 to 900 members who are ready to go on a mission within 30 days. They also have another 2,300 members who can be called upon if more help is needed.

Leaders of the Force

The European Gendarmerie Force is led by different commanders from its member countries. These leaders serve for a period of time, usually two years. Here are some of the past and current commanders:

No.	Portrait	Name	Took office	Left office	Country
1		Brigadier general Gerard Deanaz	25 January 2005	26 June 2007	France
2		Colonel Giovanni Truglio	26 June 2007	25 June 2009	Italy
3		Colonel Jorge Estéves	25 June 2009	28 June 2011	Portugal
4		Colonel Cornelis Kuijs	28 June 2011	28 June 2013	Netherlands
5		Colonel Francisco Esteban Pérez	28 June 2011	26 June 2015	Spain
6		Brigadier general Philippe Rio	26 June 2015	27 June 2017	France
7		Colonel Lucian Gavrilă	28 June 2017	27 June 2019	Romania
8		Colonel Giuseppe Zirone	28 June 2019	24 June 2021	Italy
9		Colonel Paulo Jorge Macedo Gonçalves	25 June 2021	27 June 2023	Portugal
10		Colonel Hans Vroegh	28 June 2023	Incumbent	Netherlands

Who are the Members of EUROGENDFOR?

Any country that is part of the European Union can apply to join EUROGENDFOR. The existing members must agree for a new country to join.

Current Member Countries

Here are the countries and their police or gendarmerie forces that are currently full members of EUROGENDFOR:

EU Member State	Institution
France	National Gendarmerie
Italy	Carabinieri
Netherlands	Royal Marechaussee
Poland	Military Gendarmerie
Portugal	National Republican Guard
Romania	Gendarmerie
Spain	Civil Guard

Why Germany is Not a Member

Germany does not take part in EUROGENDFOR. This is because their country's rules do not allow their military forces to act as police. Instead, Germany works closely with other European police forces through different agreements, like the Prüm Treaty. This treaty helps countries share information and even police officers for certain situations, like dealing with large crowds.

Partner Countries

Some countries are not full members but work closely with EUROGENDFOR as partners:

EU Member State	Institution
Lithuania	Public Security Service

Observer Countries

Other countries might observe EUROGENDFOR's work, meaning they watch and learn, possibly with the goal of joining later.

State	Institution
Turkey	Gendarmerie General Command

Images for kids

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  Map showing the member countries of EUROGENDFOR.

See also

• International Association of Gendarmeries and Police Forces with Military Status
• Common Security and Defence Policy
  • EU Battlegroup
• Eurocorps
• European Maritime Force