A secure Europe in a better world. European Security Strategy, Brussels, 12 December 2003

A Comprehensive document adopted by the EU in 2003 which analyses and defines the EU’s security environment, identifying key security challenges and subsequent political implications for the EU

It singled out five key threats: terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, regional conflicts, state failure, and organised crime.

A review in 2008 confirmed the validity of the ESS and the need to be ‘more capable, more coherent and more active’ in order for the EU to reach its full potential.

• Primary Source

Council of the European Union: Report on the Implementation of the European Security Strategy, 2008 http://www.satcen.europa.eu/images/stories//report%20on%20the%20implementation%20of%20the%20ess.pdf

EEAS: Security and defence: About CSDP: European Security Strategy http://eeas.europa.eu/csdp/about-csdp/european-security-strategy/index_en.htm

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