The Role of the Common Security and Defense Policy in the European

Refik BARAN

A)  What is the Common Security and Defense Policy? Summary of Common Security and Defense Policy Aims,Roles and Histrorical Context…

Figure 1: A Symbol of Common Security and Defence Policy

Before explain and analyze the Common Security and Defense Policy in the Europe, I want to explain what is the Common Security and Defense Policy.

Common Security and Defense Policy known as European Security and Defense policy and this can abbreviation ESDP or CSDP. Common Security and Defense Policy is a basic component of the European Union and purposes (or aims) covering military and defense aspects. This component working under the NATO, but differs in that it falls under the jurisdiction of the EU itself.

Officially, the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) is the domain of the European Council, which is an EU institution, whereby the heads of member states meet. Against all odds, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy also plays a significant role. As Chairperson of the external relations configuration of the Council, the High Representative prepares and examines decisions to be made before they are brought to the Council.

European security policy has followed several different paths during the 1990’s, developing simultaneously within the Western European Union (WEU), NATO and the European Union (EU) itself.

In this context, I want to mention about the background of the Common Security and Defense Policy for understanding too clear about all of the informations about it. Initially, CSDP’s progress was started in the beginning of the 1950’d by means of the Western European Union (WEU, 1954). It should be noted, WEU doesn’t existed without any support, it was impossible as everyone knows. It was a flogging a dead horse situation truly. But, what was the effects?

The effects were respectively: Firstly, in 1947, Treaty of Dunkirk signed between England and France for the mutual assistance and alliance. Treaty of Dunkirk was transferred to the military Article Four of the Treaty of Brussels which included Benelux states. To reach the treaty goals the Western Union Defence Organization was set up 1948 with an allied European command structure under British Field Marshal Montgomery. In 1949 the United States and Canada joined the alliance and its mutual defence agreements through the North Atlantic Treaty with its Article 5 mutual defence clause which differed from the Brussels Treaty as it did not necessarily include military response. In 1950 the European Defence Community (EDC), similar in nature to European Coal and Steel Community, was proposed but failed ratification in the French parliament. The military Western Union Defence Organization was during the 1950-1953 Korean War augmented to become the North Atlantic Treaty Organization of the cold war. The failure to establish the EDC resulted in the 1954 amendment of the Treaty of Brussels at the London and Paris Conferences which in replacement of EDC established the political Western European Union (WEU) out of the earlier established Western Union Defence Organization and included West Germany and Italy in both WEU and NATO as the conference ended the occupation of West Germany and the defence aims had shifted from Germany to the Soviet Union.

In the following of these developments, in 1992, Petersberg Tasks designed the Eastern Europe so it means (refers) to a Common Security and Defense Policy. Aim of Petersberg Tasks means that peacekeeping and cooperation between states. In addition to that, in 1996, WEU and NATO meet in the Berlin for European Security and Defence Identity. Also, it should be noted, WEU meeting was helded in 1992 for cooperation between EU and NATO. Anyway, this development happened thanks to Petersburg Tasks as I said.

After these developments, different and important, incorporation, peacekeeping,  humanitation so how useful things for Common Security and Defence Policy was existed and this era was openned by means of these developments. In this context, these development were not enough for completely beneficial and real Common Security and Defense Policy. What was the other major developments for existing truly and completely Common Security and Defense Policy.

First of all, The European Union made its first concrete step to enhance military capabilities, in line with the ESDP, in 1999 when its member states signed the Helsinki Headline Goal. They include the creation of a catalogue of forces, the 'Helsinki Force Catalogue', to be able to carry out the so-called “Petersberg Tasks”. The EU launched the European Capabilities Action Plan (ECAP) at the Laeken Summit in December 2001. This summit ( Laeken Summit ) was the milestone for the Europe. However, it became clear that the objectives outlined in the Helsinki Headline Goal were not achievable quickly. In May 2004, EU defence ministers approved "Headline Goal 2010", extending the timelines for the EU's projects.

Secondly, in 1998, St. Malo was happened thanks to French President Jacques Chirac and the British Prime Minister Tony Blair. This development was became very beneficial for CFSP and the ESDP.

Thirdly, in 1999, Köln Summit what was the aim was develop strategic planning and analyzing was helded. It was very important summit for Common Security and Defense Policy.

 Fourthly, in 2002, Berlin Agreements what agreement is the short title of a comprehensive package of agreements made between NATO and the EU. hese agreements were based on conclusions of NATO's 1999 Washington summit, sometimes referred to as the CJTF mechanism, and allowed the EU to draw on some of NATO's military assets in its own peacekeeping operations.

The other important factor was helded in 2004 what name was Brussel Summit. This summit forming the Common Security and Defense Policy in Europe which aim was preparing rapidly deployable battlegroups.

On the other hand, in 2004, The European Defence Agency (EDA) was established by means of the all of historical developments, in Brussels. It supports the EU Member States in improving their military capabilities in order to complete CSDP targets as set out in the European Security Strategy. In that capacity, it makes proposals, coordinates, stimulates collaboration, and runs projects. The Member States themselves, however, remain in charge of their defence policies, planning and investment.

Under the light of these developments, as a result of developments, in 2002, European Union Institute for Security Studies inaugurated thanks to EU officials and groups. This institute working upon security issues and it is an totally autonomous think tank. In addition, the EU-ISS convenes seminars and conferences on relevant issues that bring together EU officials, national experts, decision-makers and NGO representatives from all Member States.

Finally, the other very important fact is: The Treaty of Lisbon renamed the ESDP to Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). The post of High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy has been created (superseding the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy and European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy). Unanimous decisions in the Council of the European Union continue to instruct the EU foreign policy and CSDP matters became available to enhanced co-operation. This treaty was signed in 2007, but forced to (effective) in 2009.  

Figure 2: The participation in European defence organisations

A.1) Petersburg Tasks : Petersburg Tasks are a part of the European Security and Defence Policy. They were explicitly includes in the Treaty on European Union (Article 17). The Treaty of Lisbon (Article 42 of the TEU) complements the range of missions which may be carried out in the name of the European Union (EU). From now on, they cover: humanitarian and rescue tasks, conflict prevention and peace-keeping tasks;tasks of combat forces in crisis management, including peacemaking; joint disarmament operations; military advice and assistance tasks; post-conflict stabilisation tasks.

These tasks were set out in the Petersberg Declaration adopted at the Ministerial Council of the Western European Union (WEU) in June 1992. On that occasion, the WEU Member States declared their readiness to make available to the WEU, but also to NATO and the European Union, military units from the whole spectrum of their conventional armed forces. [1]   EUROPA - Glossary - Petersberg tasks

A.2)  Saint Malo Declaration : This meeting was helded in St.Malo as we can understand from its name. It was a important factor for developing and analyzing of Common Security and Defense Policy. In St.Malo, parties decided some decisions. To illustrate, St. Malo’s fundamental aim was “common defense policy” and “independent military cooperation with states and organizations such as NATO, WEU. In Saint Malo Declaration, European Union to take decisions especially about military actions where the Alliances as a whole is not engaged. In addition, Saint Malo was beneficial for defence industry and technology because Europe should be strengthened armed forces. But why? Of Course, Common Security and Defence Policy aims powerful army and stability Europe.

A.3) Berlin Agreements:  The Berlin Plus agreement is the short title of a comprehensive package of agreements made between NATO and the EU. This agreements allows the EU using NATA capabilities whatever they want any time. In this context, when necessary and sharing military intelligance NATO infrastructure was opened to the use of the EU. It includes NATO’s defencing planning, The NATO-EU Security Agreement, some procedures and arrangaments.

A.4) Köln Summit: This summit was helded in 1999, Köln. It aims to have some institutions to develop strateic planning  and analyzing. Köln Summit’s other name is G8 Communique Köln 1999 Final. Also, building a world trading system that works for every people was the other aim of Köln or G8 Communique Summit. This summit especially relevant (related) with military, political and security and defence policies. The major approach is planning and analyzing, it should be noted.

A.5) Helsinki Headline Goal: In fact, this goal can split up in a two piece which name was Headling Goal 2003 and Helsinki Headline Goal 2010. Helsinki related with a military capability target and after the Helsinki Summit the Council decided to Helsinki Headline Goal’s aim what was the European Rapid Reaction Force that was related with EU Military Force. For the Europe’s Common Security and Defense Policy, already Europe’s military could give Rapid Reaction Force to against who was the enemy or threat. So, the major aim was the able to deploy rapidly and speedly then sustain forces capable of the full range of Petersburg Tasks. This system oversee interests of the Europe.

A.6) European Defence Agency: European Defence Agency (EDA) is one of the agency of the European Union and this agency’s location is based Brussels, Belgium. European Defence Agency have some missions such as: development of defence capabilities in the field of crisis management, promotion and enhancement of European armaments cooperation, working to strengthen the Defence Technology and Industrial Base and for the creation of an internationally competitive European Defence Equipment Market and enhancement of the effectiveness of European Defence Research and Technology.[2]  eda.europa.eu/publications/12-04-04/EDA_2011_Annual_Report

This agency working on cooperation planning and support, armaments and technology, and innovation of the European Union. It is the one of the fundamental facts of Common Security and Defence Policy. It have a budget and this means EDA supporting to the Europe countries upon security and economic policies.

Figure 3: European Defense Agency (EDA) Members

A.7) Treaty of Lisbon: Treaty of Lisbon known as Reform Treaty because of the reformings. This treaty signed in 2007, by Europen Union member states. Lisbon Treaty amends the Maastricht Treaty and the Treaty of Rome. So, we can say about Treaty of Lisbon is type of the amends existing treaty. Its effective in 1 December 2009. Prominent changes included the move from unanimity to qualified majority voting in several policy areas in the Council of Ministers, a change in calculating such a majority to a new double majority, a more powerful European Parliament forming a bicameral legislature alongside the Council of ministers under the ordinary legislative procedure, a consolidated legal personality for the EU and the creation of a long-term President of the European Council and a High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The Treaty also made the Union's bill of rights, the Charter of Fundamental Rights, legally binding.

The stated aim of the treaty was "to complete the process started by the Treaty of Amsterdam [1997] and by the Treaty of Nice [2001] with a view to enhancing the efficiency and democratic legitimacy of the Union and to improving the coherence of its action." Opponents of the Treaty of Lisbon, such as former Danish Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Jens-Peter Bonde, argued that it would centralize the EU,and weaken democracy by 'moving power away' from national electorates.[3] Jens-Peter Bonde. From EU Constitution to Lisbon Treaty. Foundation for EU Democracy and the EU Democrats. p. 41. ISBN 87-87692-71-6. "We can still have elections, but we cannot use our vote to change legislation in the many areas where the Union is given power to decide. It is a very, very long process to change an EU law under the Lisbon Treaty. The power to do this does not lie with the normal majority of voters. It also demands a great effort in a lot of countries to change a law."  

Supporters argued that it brings in more checks and balances into the European Union system, with stronger powers for the European Parliament and a new role for national parliaments. Lisbon Treaty is accept from European its a breakthrough for EU. Lisbon Treaty aims a more democratic, transparant and efficient Europe in all over the Europe. By means of the Treaty of Lisbon, some issues such as rights, freedom, solidarity, security and values solved.  Thanks to Treaty of Lisbon, Europe become as an actor on the global stage. We can say, this treaty is a turning point for Common Defense and Security Policy. It is a very long treaty because of the reasons of contents. I’m not want to boring the reader because of the Lisbon Treaties’ history, list of amendments, functioning, signing process etc. Apologize for cutting here Treaty of Lisbon but it is very very long issue and if I could continue, papers become a desperate.

Summary

As we saw, Common Security and Defense Policy related with some organizations, declaretions, Summits and meetings respectively: 1954-WEU, 1992-WEU Meeting, 1996 Nato Meeting, 1998 Saint Malo Declaration, 2002 Berlin Agreements, 1999 Köln Summit, 1999 Helsinki Goals-Summit, 2001 Laeken Summit, European Defense Agency (EDA), European Security Strategy, 2004 Brussels Summit and 2007 The Treaty of Lisbon. By means of these developments, Common Security and Defense Policy can established and thanks to CSDP Europe is keep balance of economy, political structures, especially defense measures etc.

On the other hand, Common Security and Defense Policy role is covering military and defense aspects. Also, foreign affairs and security policy is the other role of the Common Security and Defense Policy. So, CSDP utilize own power for peace-keeping operations and conflict preventation and streghtened the international security of course. Europe’s security is handed by CSDP as we can say. In fact, CSDP’s role is exists in all of these developments. Its (they) encompass the part of role of the Common Security and Defense Policy. So, every development of CSDP to illustrate summits, meetings etc. the part of the role of CSDP, it is the same things.