European Parliamentary Research Service Blog
Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP)
The Future of Europe debates in the European Parliament, 2018-19: A synthesis of the speeches by EU Heads of State and Government
The debates held in the European Parliament on the Future of Europe offered a unique opportunity for Heads of State or Government to present their views on the future direction that the EU-27 should take. This exercise showed, on the one hand, that the question of which policy areas are of compelling importance differs among the speakers, and, on the other hand, that they have converging views on many issues. Continue reading
Assessing the Leaders’ Agenda
The Leaders’ Agenda, adopted by the EU Heads of State or Government on 20 October 2017, was designed both as a contribution to the realisation of the objectives set out in the ‘future of Europe’ debate and as a concrete work programme for the European Council up to June 2019. Continue reading
Defence anniversaries: NATO turns 70 and CSDP turns 20
Against a backdrop of evolving geopolitical configurations and security threats, anniversaries serve as a useful occasion for reflection, allowing us to draw lessons from the past and informing strategies for the future. In this context, the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS), in collaboration with the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, hosted a panel discussion on ‘NATO at 70 and CSDP at 20: The future of European security and defence’ on 1 April 2019. Continue reading
EU policies – Delivering for citizens: Security and defence [Policy Podcast]
Security and defence policy in the European Union is predominantly a competence of the Member States. At the same time, a common security and defence policy, which could progressively lead to a European defence union, is enshrined in the Lisbon Treaty. Continue reading
European Defence Fund: Multiannual financial framework 2021-2027 [EU Legislation in Progress]
In June 2018, the European Commission presented a legislative proposal on a European Defence Fund, including a budget allocation of €13 billion in current prices for the 2021 to 2027 period. Continue reading
2018 NATO summit: A critical time for European defence
On 11 and 12 July 2018 the NATO Heads of State and Government will meet in Brussels for the 28th NATO summit. The summit comes at a time of tension in transatlantic relations, but also of continuing threats and challenges posed to the alliance. Continue reading
Future of Europe debates IV: Parliament hosts Heads of State or Government
Against the background of the many challenges which the European Union has faced in recent years, the European Parliament has taken the lead in launching and hosting a series of high-profile debates on the Future of Europe, intended to run for the whole of 2018. Continue reading
EU sanctions, A key foreign and security policy instrument [Policy podcast]
Sanctions have become an increasingly central element of the EU’s common and foreign security policy. At present, the EU has 42 sanctions programmes in place, making it the world’s second-most active user of restrictive measures, after the US. Continue reading
Peace and Security in 2018: Overview of EU action and outlook for the future
The promotion of global peace and security, following the model of its own peace project, is a fundamental goal and central pillar of the external action of the European Union (EU). Both within and beyond the EU, there is a widespread expectation among citizens that the Union will deliver results in this crucial area. Continue reading
From Rome to Sibiu
Analysis shows that in the year since the Rome Declaration, and a year before the special summit on the Future of Europe debate, due to take place in the Romanian city of Sibiu on 9 May 2019, substantive progress has been made regarding the debate itself and implementation of the policy priorities identified in the Bratislava Declaration/Roadmap and the Rome Declaration. Continue reading
The Future of Europe: Contours of the current debate
In the aftermath of the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union (EU), following the referendum of June 2016, the EU launched a profound reflection on the Future of Europe, which continues in various fora and institutions. Continue reading
Permanent structured cooperation (PESCO): Beyond establishment
In its 2016 Global Strategy, the European Union (EU) set a new level of ambition in security and defence. Closer defence cooperation among EU Member States is now at the top of the agenda. Continue reading
Mapping the Cost of Non-Europe, 2014-19 – Fourth edition
This paper embodies work-in-progress on a long-term project being undertaken by the European Parliament’s European Added Value Unit, in conjunction with the office of the Secretary-General, to try to identify and analyse the ‘cost of non-Europe’ in certain policy fields. Continue reading
Cybersecurity in the EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP)
Written by Zsolt G. Pataki with Victoria M. Joseph, Cybersecurity is an oft-used term today, and many seem familiar with its meaning. However, it is unclear where the responsibility for policy-making on cybersecurity and cyberdefence actually lies. While national security is sometimes accountable, the cyber domain does not confine itself to operating within traditional national borders, limiting the … Continue reading
European Council and CSDP: success or failure?
The European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) will organize a roundtable discussion on ‘The European Council and CSDP: success or failure?’ on 27 September 2016, 13h30-15h00, in the European Parliament’s Library main reading room in Brussels. Participants at this roundtable debate are: Elmar Brok MEP, Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, General Jean-Paul Perruche, Former Director-General of the European Union Military Staff, Professor Alexander Mattelaer, Institute for European Studies, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), and Elena Lazarou, Policy Analyst, EPRS. Continue reading
Activation of Article 42(7) TEU: France’s request for assistance and Member States’ responses
Written by Suzana Elena Anghel (European Council Oversight Unit) and Carmen-Cristina Cirlig (Members’ Research Service) Following the terrorist attacks in Paris on 13 November 2015, France requested aid and assistance from the other Member States based on Article 42(7) TEU. This represented the first activation of the mutual assistance clause since it was introduced by … Continue reading
The EU’s mutual assistance clause: First ever activation of Article 42(7) TEU
Written by Carmen-Cristina Cîrlig On 17 November 2015, Article 42(7), or the mutual assistance clause of the Treaty on European Union (TEU), was invoked for the first time, when France asked for aid and assistance from the other European Union (EU) Member States in the aftermath of the deadly terrorist attacks in Paris on 13 … Continue reading
Risk and resilience in foreign policy
Written by Patryk Pawlak Graphics by Christian Dietrich The complexity of risks affecting the world is illustrated by the interconnected nature of conflicts, natural hazards, water shortages and state collapse. The current migratory challenge Europe is facing is yet more evidence that distance or the natural borders inherent in seas, mountains and deserts are of … Continue reading
Progress on European defence to be evaluated by the European Council
Written by Carmen-Cristina Cîrlig Against the backdrop of the long-term decline in European defence budgets, the deteriorating security context just beyond Europe’s borders and the worsening relationship with Russia have been seen as providing a wake-up call to European leaders regarding the necessity to adapt the EU’s foreign and security policy to the new challenges … Continue reading
Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) [What Think Tanks are thinking]
Written by Marcin Grajewski The recent interview by Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, in which he advocated ‘a joint EU army’ as a means to strengthen European foreign policy and ‘allow Europe to take on responsibility in the world’ has revived an on-going debate in think-tank and academic circles about how to maximise … Continue reading
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