The European Gendarmerie Force (EUROGENDFOR or EGF) was launched by an agreement in 2006 between five states of the European Union (EU): France, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain. Romania subsequently joined in 2009. Its purpose is the creation of a European intervention force with militarised police functions and specialise in crisis management, designed after the French Gendarmerie, the Spanish Guardia Civil, and the Italian Unità Specializzata Multinazionale (M.S.U.) of the Carabinieri. Its status is enshrined in the Treaty of Velsen of 18 October 2007.