L 44/16 Official Journal of the European Union 19.2.2010 DECISIONS COUNCIL DECISION 2010/96/CFSP of 15 February 2010 on a European Union military mission to contribute to the training of Somali security forces THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Articles 28 and 43(2) thereof, Having regard to the proposal by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR), Whereas: In its Resolution 1872 (2009) on the situation in Somalia, adopted on 26 May 2009, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) stressed the importance of the re-establishment, training, equipping and retention of Somali security forces, and urged Member States and regional and international organisations to offer technical assistance for the training and equipping of the Somali security forces. In its Resolution 1897 (2009), adopted on 30 November 2009, the UNSC recalled its previous resolutions and reaffirmed its respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence and unity of Somalia. In its conclusions of 27 July 2009, the Council decided to step up the engagement for promoting peace and development in Somalia. To this end, the Council studied the possibilities for the Union to contribute to international efforts, including in the field of security. In its conclusions of 17 November 2009, the Council stated that further Union support to the Somali security sector should be considered within a comprehensive EU approach to the situation in Somalia, and that this support should be part of a larger and coherent framework involving close EU cooperation and coor- dination with the African Union, the United Nations and other relevant partners, in particular the United States of America. With regard to the African Union, the Council furthermore underlined the importance of the role of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). On 17 November 2009, the Council approved a Crisis Management Concept on a possible European Security and Defence mission to contribute to the training of the security forces of the Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and requested further planning work.  Subsequently, the Political and Security Committee (PSC) appointed a Planning Authority. By letters dated 18 November 2009 and 23 January 2010 respectively, the TFG expressed its appreciation for the Union’s efforts to coordinate the training of the Somali security forces and its efforts towards peace and stability in Somalia, and assured the Union of its commitment to bear its responsibility with regard to the recruitment, training and retention of recruits; it also emphasised its commitment to a broader security sector policy in Somalia. By letter dated 30 November 2009, African Union Deputy Special Representative for Somalia, on behalf of the African Union Commission, welcomed the positive reflection of the EU regarding the training of over 2 000 Somali security forces. On 8 December 2009, the Council selected a military strategic option for the potential EU military mission.