The Common Security and Defence Policy: Decline or Transition?

Abstract

The end of 2009 was significant for the realm of European defence policy, as it seemed to form a perfect, symbolic link between the ten year acquis of the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) and the promises held by the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), both clearly included in the finally ratified Lisbon Treaty. 2010 dominated by debate over NATO’s strategic concept and its role within the EU as well as by the introduction of the European External Action Service (EEAS) under the management of Lady Ashton, and yet it seemed to be desperately empty as far as the CSDP was concerned; none of the new challenges (institutional, operational, capabilities) against which the EU had to measure its new ambitions witnessed any significant progress.