Common Security and Defence Policy: Difference between revisions

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The '''European Security and Defence Policy''' or '''ESDP''' is considered a major element of the [[Common Foreign and Security Policy]] [[three pillars of the European Union|pillar]] of the [[European Union]]. The ESDP was initiated by provisions of the [[Treaty of Amsterdam]] which stipulated the progressive framing of a common security and defence policy that could deal with humanitarian and rescue tasktasks, [[peacekeeping]] tasks and tasks of combat forces in [[crisis management]], including peacemaking. These are the so-called [[Petersberg tasks]].

== Elements of the ESDP ==

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== Constitution ==

The draft [[EU constitution]] declares that

“ :The common security and defence policy shall include the progressive framing of a common Union defence policy. This will lead to a common defence, when the European Council, acting unanimously, so decides. It shall in that case recommend to the member States the adoption of such a decision in accordance with their respective constitutional requirements.
:The policy of the Union in accordance with this article shall not prejudice the specific character of the security and defence policy of certain member states, which see their common defence realized in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, under the North Atlantic Treaty, and be compatible with the common security and defence policy established within that framework”framework. (Art1[[Wikisource:Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe: Part I#Article I-41: Specific provisions relating to the common security and defence policy|Art. 1-4041 2]])

== Missions in the ESDP context ==

Some of the operationsOperations launched by the EU in the ESDP context are the following.include:

;=== Past Operations ===

* '''[[EUFOR Concordia]]''': Operation launched onLaunched [[31 March]], [[2003]], in the [[Republic of Macedonia]] following athe request of President [[Boris Trajkovski]]. This operation made use of [[NATO]] assets and capabilities.

* '''[[Operation Artemis]]''': A military operation in the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]], conducted in accordance with [[United NationsUN Security Council Resolution]] [[UN Security Council Resolution 1484|1484]] of [[30 May]], [[2003]], and adopted by the EU on [[5 June]], [[2003]]. The mission ended on [[1 September]], [[2003]]. This was the first time that the EU madeconducted a military operation without NATO assistance. [[France]] was the "framework nation" and main contributor inof forces.

;=== Current Operations ===

* '''[[European Union Police Mission]]''' or '''EUPM''': Police mission in [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]] that started on [[1 January]], [[2003]].

* '''[[EUPOL Proxima]]''': Or moreMore fully the ''European Union Police Mission in the former Yugoslav [[Republic of Macedonia]]'', this operation was launched on [[15 December]], [[2003]] and will covercovered an initial period of one year.

* '''[[EUJUST Themis]]''': More fully the ''EU Rule of Law Mission to [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]]'', this mission was launched on [[16 July]], [[2004]] for a foreseen duration of 12 months, and is designed to support the Georgian authorities in challenges aboutto the criminal justice system and reform process.

* '''[[EUFOR Althea]]''': This is a EU military operation in [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]], a transition from the [[NATO]]-led [[SFOR]]. Transfer of authority from SFOR to EUFOR happened on [[2 December]], [[2004]].

;=== Future Operations ===

* ''tonone becurrently addedplanned''

== Predecessors of the ESDP==

* '''[[European Defence Community]]''': The EDC was a defence community proposed in the 1950s soon after the creation of the [[European Coal and Steel Community]]. The founding treaty failed to be ratified and so the project was abandoned.

* '''[[Western European Union]]''': The WEU was created after the failure of the EDC, an organisation composed of those statestates who were members of both NATO and EU. Partially dormant, its tasks have been in part transferred to the EU. It's not yet certain whether the WEU will remain an independent organisation or be eventually fully merged into the EU.

== See also ==