European Parliamentary Research Service Blog
European security
Future of European Security and Defence Policy [What Think Tanks are thinking]
The EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) aims to ensure an appropriate role for the Union in peace-keeping operations, conflict prevention and in the strengthening of international security. Continue reading
Global and regional trends [What Think Tanks are thinking]
The European Union’s key institutions held a joint annual conference on 14-15 October entitled ‘Challenges and Choices for Europe.’ Continue reading
Cyber: How big is the threat?
The internet has transformed the world into a global village transcending physical borders and palpable distances. Often described as ‘fog’ or a ‘globalised network of networks’, cyberspace is extremely complex, accessible to everyone and difficult to pinpoint. Continue reading
EU policies – Delivering for citizens: The fight against terrorism [Policy Podcast]
Faced with a growing international terrorist threat, the European Union (EU) is playing an ever more ambitious role in counter-terrorism. Even though primary responsibility for combating crime and ensuring security lies with the Member States, the EU provides cooperation, coordination and (to some extent) harmonisation tools as well as financial support to address this borderless phenomenon. Continue reading
EU policies – Delivering for citizens: Protection of EU external borders [Policy Podcast]
The unprecedented arrival of refugees and irregular migrants in the EU, which peaked in 2015, exposed a series of deficiencies and gaps in EU policies on external borders. Continue reading
Ten issues to watch in 2019
This annual publication offers up-to-date insight from policy analysts in the European Parliamentary Research Service on ten key issues and policy areas that are likely to feature prominently on the political agenda of the European Union (EU) in 2019. Continue reading
European Parliament Plenary Session, December 2018
The agenda for the final European Parliament plenary session of 2018 includes Council and Commission statements on the preparation of the last European Council meeting of the year, scheduled for 13-14 December 2018, a debate with the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades, on the Future of Europe, and important interventions on human rights. Continue reading
Interoperability between EU border and security information systems [EU Legislation in Progress]
To strengthen EU external border management and enhance internal security, the European Commission has made several proposals to upgrade and expand European border and security information systems. 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
European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) [EU Legislation in Progress][Policy Podcast]
Strengthening the EU’s external borders is key to ensure internal security and to preserve freedom of movement in the Schengen area. Continue reading
Outcome of European Council meeting of 22-23 June 2017
Written by Ralf Drachenberg and Suzana Anghel, The main results of the European Council meeting of 22-23 June 2017 include the ‘historic step’ of agreeing to set up ‘permanent structured cooperation’ in European defence, the commitment to implement the Paris Agreement on climate change in all its aspects, and the extension of sanctions against Russia. … Continue reading
European information systems in the area of justice and home affairs: An overview
Written by Costica Dumbrava, High levels of irregular migration and the increase in transnational terrorist activities have pushed the EU to take concerted measures to strengthen its external borders and to enhance internal security. The revision and development of information systems for border management and law enforcement has been a key aspect of this response. … Continue reading
Implementing the EU global strategy: who, what and how?
Written by Patryk Pawlak, The EU global strategy, presented by High Representative Federica Mogherini in June 2016, aims to give the European Union a collective sense of direction in dealing with external challenges like the conflict in Syria, sanctions on Russia, fragility across Africa, or the fight against terrorism and hybrid threats. However, the 28 EU … Continue reading
ISIL/Da’esh and ‘non-conventional’ weapons of terror
Written by Beatrix Immenkamp, [Updated May 2016] The European Union and its Member States must prepare for the possibility of a chemical or biological attack on their territory by the self-styled ‘Islamic State’ in Iraq and the Levant (known variously as IS, ISIS or ISIL, and by the Arabic acronym ‘Da’esh’). Since October 2015, terrorist … Continue reading
EU response to the Paris terrorist attacks [What Think Tanks are thinking]
Written by Marcin Grajewski European Union member states are enhancing security arrangements in the wake of the Islamic State attacks that killed 130 people in Paris on 13 November. The carnage has deeply shocked Europeans and their governments, reinforcing calls to strengthen the EU’s counter-terrorism strategy, prevent radicalisation of the young generation, and find solutions … Continue reading
NATO, EU and security in Europe [What Think Tanks are thinking]
Written by Marcin Grajewski Russia’s conflict with Ukraine and turbulence in the Middle East have reawakened concern about Europe’s security, fuelling a debate about its defence capabilities, the role of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and its relations with the European Union. NATO and the EU, sharing values, strategic interests, and a majority of members, … Continue reading
Towards a new European Agenda on Security
Written by Martina Prpic Security and defence of its citizens are of high importance in the EU. At the same time, any EU security policy must also respect the values on which the EU is based, such as respect for fundamental rights. Striking the right balance between the two has been the guiding principle of the … Continue reading
CBRN terrorism: threats and the EU response
Written by Piotr Bąkowski Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) terrorism is a form of terrorism involving the use of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Following 11th September 2001, the interna¬tional community came to believe there was a high probability that terrorists would make use of such weapons. The growing number of people familiar with … Continue reading
Internal Security Strategy: open and safe Europe
Written by Martina Prpic 6 language versions available in PDF format Strategie der inneren Sicherheit: Für ein offenes und sicheres Europa La Estrategia de Seguridad Interior: una Europa abierta y segura Stratégie de sécurité intérieure: une Europe ouverte et sûre Strategia di sicurezza interna: un’Europa aperta e sicura Strategia bezpieczeństwa wewnętrznego otwarta i bezpieczna Europa … Continue reading
CFSP/CSDP: Outcome of the NATO Summit 2014
Written by Carmen-Cristina Cîrlig NATO leaders meeting in Newport, Wales (4-5 September 2014) addressed essential questions dealing with the current European security situation, the withdrawal from Afghanistan and declining defence budgets. The next NATO Summit will take place in Warsaw, Poland in 2016. A changing security context The 2014 NATO Summit occurred in a challenging security … Continue reading
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