Common Security and Defence Policy

Common Security and Defence Policy
Name	Common Security and Defence Policy
Type	Policy area of the European Union
Abbreviation	CSDP
Established	Formalised by the Treaty of Amsterdam (1999)
Predecessor	European Security and Defence Identity
Jurisdiction	European Union
Main organs	European Council, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Political and Security Committee, European Defence Agency

Common Security and Defence Policy. It is a core component of the European Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy, providing the bloc with an operational capacity to deploy civilian and military missions abroad. The policy aims to preserve peace, strengthen international security, and promote European integration in the defence realm, guided by principles of the United Nations Charter. Its development represents a significant evolution in the EU's ambition to act as a global security actor.

History and development

The origins of a European defence policy can be traced to early initiatives like the failed European Defence Community in the 1950s, with more concrete cooperation emerging through the Western European Union and the Maastricht Treaty's provisions on security. A decisive shift occurred following the Yugoslav Wars, particularly the operational challenges during the Kosovo War, which exposed European military deficiencies. This led to the Saint-Malo Declaration by Tony Blair and Jacques Chirac, which called for autonomous EU military capabilities, a mandate formalized in the Treaty of Amsterdam and later enhanced by the Treaty of Lisbon. Key milestones include the establishment of the European Defence Agency in 2004 and the adoption of strategic compasses, with recent impetus driven by geopolitical events like the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Objectives and principles

The primary objectives, as outlined in the Treaty on European Union, include safeguarding the Union's values and fundamental interests, strengthening the security of member states, preserving peace, and consolidating international security in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter. It operates on the principles of unanimity in the European Council, progressive framing of a common Union defence policy, and the Petersberg tasks, which range from humanitarian and rescue missions to combat operations. A core tenet is the principle of solidarity, including the mutual defence clause (Article 42.7) invoked for the first time following the 2015 Paris attacks.

Institutional framework and actors

The European Council, led by its President, sets the strategic direction and identifies interests. The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, who also serves as Vice-President of the European Commission, conducts the policy and chairs the Foreign Affairs Council. Day-to-day political control and strategic direction of operations are managed by the Political and Security Committee, composed of national ambassadors. The European Union Military Committee provides military advice, while the European Defence Agency fosters capability development. Operational headquarters for missions are provided by the Military Planning and Conduct Capability or national headquarters like the French Élysée Palace.

Military and civilian missions

Since its first mission in 2003, the European Union Police Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the policy has overseen numerous operations across continents. Military missions have included the anti-piracy Operation Atalanta off the coast of Somalia and the training mission EUTM Mali. Civilian missions focus on areas like rule of law, with examples being EULEX Kosovo and the European Union Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine. These deployments often work in coordination with organizations like the United Nations and the African Union, such as in the Central African Republic.

Relationship with NATO and other partners

The relationship with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is foundational, guided by the principle of complementarity and the strategic partnership embodied in the Berlin Plus agreement. Non-EU European allies like Turkey and Norway, as well as candidates such as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, participate in projects and missions. Strategic partnerships also exist with the United Nations and the African Union. The policy emphasizes "strategic autonomy" while recognizing NATO as the cornerstone of collective defence for its members, a balance highlighted during the War in Afghanistan and the ongoing support for Kyiv.

Funding and capabilities

Funding is primarily drawn from member states' national budgets, with common costs for operations covered by the Athena mechanism. The European Defence Fund, managed by the European Commission, finances collaborative research and development projects. Major capability initiatives include the Permanent Structured Cooperation framework, projects like the Eurocorps and the development of next-generation systems such as the Future Combat Air System. The European Peace Facility, established in 2021, is a key off-budget instrument used to finance military assistance, notably for Ukraine, and to bolster the defence capacities of partners like the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Category:European Union