The European Union (EU) has officially agreed to create a peacekeeping force. Officially, its a rapid reaction force. Various nations will contribute thirteen combat units (basically reinforced infantry battalions containing about 1,500 troops each) that will be ready for movement to a combat zone fifteen days after being alerted. Thus the European Union could alert a battle group (as they call these units) while they are still debating whether or not any peacekeepers should be sent somewhere. Given the length of time these debates have taken in the past, fifteen days warning will not show anything down. The EU battle groups will most likely be used for UN sanctioned peacekeeping missions, or more pressing emergencies closer to home (like the Balkans) where the EU peacekeepers will go in without waiting for UN approval.
