The EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP): A Key Pillar of EU Foreign Policy

The European Union’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) is a critical pillar of the EU’s comprehensive approach towards crisis management and defence matters. As a component of the Common Foreign and Security Policy, the CSDP provides the EU with the capacity to deploy civilian and military missions for peace-keeping, conflict prevention, and strengthening international security in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter

In response to the outbreak of the Korean War and the perceived threat of the Soviet Union, French Prime Minister René Pleven proposed a pan-European defence structure, which was referred to as the Pleven Plan.

1951

1955

It gave the EU a common foreign and security policy (CFSP) for the first time. Although the CSDP was not explicitly formulated at this point, the TEU established a critical foundation for a shared external policy.

The EU “must have the capacity for autonomous action, backed up by credible military forces, the means to decide to use them, and a readiness to do so, in order to respond to international crises.”

At the Cologne European Council in 1999.

Common Security and Defence Policy 

December 1, 2009

Inception of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Formation of the European External Action Service (EEAS), Inclusion of Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), Solidarity Clause.

If an EU country suffers armed aggression on its territory, other EU countries are obligated to help it by employing all possible means.

This is like the EU’s mission statement. It outlines the broad goals, values, and principles that the European Union wants to uphold. Think of it as laying out the general direction the EU wants to go in. It also describes the important roles and responsibilities of key players like the European Council and the Council of the EU.

Operation Artemis

2003

PESCO is to strengthen the EU’s strategic independence, enabling it to act independently when needed and work with partners whenever possible. Military capacities developed within PESCO remain with member states and can be used in other contexts, such as NATO or the UN.

The EUMS provides military expertise and advice to the High Representative and the Political and Security Committee.

The PSC is a pivotal body within the CSDP structure. It monitors the international situation in areas covered by the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and contributes to policy definition by delivering opinions to the Foreign Affairs Council.

The PMG provides the PSC with advice on the political aspects of EU military and civil-military issues, including concepts, capabilities, and the conduct of EU operations and missions.

The European Security and Defence College provides strategic-level education in European Security and Defence Policy to decision-makers, military personnel, and civilians from the EU Member States and EU Institutions.

European Union Institute for Security Studies is an agency of the EU that offers research, analysis, and debate on foreign, security, and defence policy issues.