The European Parliament welcomed the first Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE) meeting of the year on 25 January 2012. After overseeing the election of the Chair and Vice Chairs, the sitting witnessed an exchange of views from Ambassador Walter Stevens, head of the CMPD, on the activation of the EU Operations Centre and the planning and conduct of the operations of the CSDP missions in the Horn of Africa; and General Ton van Osch, Director General of the EUMS, on the activities of the EU Military Staff. The report below outlines the proceedings of the meeting.