European Strategy, European Defence and the CSDP

The Netherlands Institute of International Relations ‘Clingendael’ and the Egmont – Royal Institute for International Relations have published a new report, entitled “European Strategy, European Defence and the CSDP”. This report is based on the findings of an expert seminar organised by both institutes on 14 October 2015 in Brussels, and reflects the main topics of discussion.

The seminar discussed the role of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) in the EU Global Strategy on Foreign and Security policy, which is currently being drafted by High Representative Federica Mogherini. This report is neither a verbatim record nor a summary of the debate. Rather, it lists key issues which need to be addressed in the new strategy, with a particular focus on CSDP. The report analyses the EU’s changing strategic environment and the challenges that it poses for the EU, the level of ambition that the EU should have in response to those challenges, and the consequences for CSDP.

An Egmont-Clingendael Food for Thought paper was sent to participants ahead of the seminar. It is attached to this report.

You can access the report here.