I Nice den 7.-9. december 2000 og i Bruxelles den 24.-25. oktober 2002 fastlagde Det Europæiske Råd ordninger for tredjelandes deltagelse i krisestyringsoperationer og nedsættelsen af en bidragyderkomité.
The European Council Conclusions of Nice of 7, 8 and 9 December 2000 and those of Brussels of 24 and 25 October 2002 laid down the arrangements for the participation of third States in crisis management operations and the setting up of a CoC.