The concept of a European Security and Defence Policy is not a new phenomenon but dates back to 1948 with the signing of the Brussels Treaty by Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and the UK. Conceived largely as a response to Soviet moves to impose control over Central Europe, its main feature was the commitment to mutual defence should any of the signatories become the victim of an armed attack in Europe. In-order to integrate Italy and Germany into the new western security systems the Modified Brussels Treaty was subsequently signed in 1954. This led to the creation of the Western European Union (WEU) which promoted the development of consultation and co-operation on security issues within Western Europe. With the establishment of NATO in April 1949 it was agreed that the primary responsibility for the collective defence of Europe would be through NATO.
It was the end of the Cold War and the challenges raised by the Balkans wars of the early 1990’s that gave a new impetus to the development of a European security policy. The Balkan’s conflict in particular saw a shift in public opinion throughout Europe in favour of a more co-ordinated approach among European countries. It was partly in response to this, and to the increasingly global role of Europe, that led to the signing of the “Maastricht Treaty” in February 1992. This established the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) which allowed for the gradual development of a European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP).
ESDP underpins CFSP by enabling the EU to play a more comprehensive role in both military and civilian international crisis management. It supplements other EU external instruments, such as aid, trade and diplomatic measures, and offers the international community a further option when considering how to respond to global crises. This not only benefits EU Member States nationally but also collectively in the EU, NATO and UN. All EU Members States acknowledge the UN as having the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security.
