EU common defense strategy still long way off

EU heads of state and government were due to discuss the EU's common security and defense strategy at the European Council summit in Brussels in December 2013. Feature reported that insiders expected little tangible outcome but said it would be a test for Europe's credibility as a global player.

The objective was to:

+ increasing the effectiveness, visibility and impact of the CSDP (Common Security and Diplomatic Policy)

+ enhancing the development of defence capabilities

+ strengthening Europe's defence industry

Related url hyperlinks further discuss the EU's defence policy in the context of discussions at the European Council summit.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Cooperation has become a necessity, not a luxury http://www.europeansources.info/record/cooperation-has-become-a-necessity-not-a-luxury/

EU: EEAS: Security and defence - CSDP http://www.eeas.europa.eu/csdp/index_en.htm

European Council: Meetings: European Council, Brussels, 19-20 December 2013 https://europa.eu/globalstrategy/sites/globalstrategy/files/about/council_conclusions_dec_2013.pdf

Blog: European Dialogue, 02.12.13: EU common defense strategy still long way off http://eurodialogue.org/EU-common-defense-strategy-still-long-way-off

Blog: EU Referendum.com, 10.12.13: EU politics: the tide turns on the EU military? http://www.eureferendum.com/blogview.aspx?blogno=84540

ESO: Background information: Ten years of EU military operations http://www.europeansources.info/record/ten-years-of-eu-military-operations/

http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/139719.pdf http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/139719.pdf

FRIDE: Policy Brief, 12.12.13: Fresh start or more of the same? Defence policy at the December EU summit http://www.fride.org/publication/1167/fresh-start-or-more-of-the-same?-defence-policy-at-the-december-eu-summit

Blog: Policy Network, 12.13: The case for collective EU defence is ‘stronger than ever’ http://www.policyreview.eu/the-case-for-collective-eu-defence-is-stronger-than-ever/

Blog: Foreign Policy Association, 17.12.13:Talking Defense – Part 2 – Reflection on a needed European Security Strategy http://foreignpolicyblogs.com/2013/12/17/talking-defense-part-2-reflection-on-a-needed-european-security-strategy/

De Volkskrant, 17.12.13: Defence policy: The elusive European army (via PressEurop) http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/article/4413211-elusive-european-army

European Movement UK: Euroblog, 18.12.13: A Common Security and Defence Policy is in the interest of Britain and the EU as a whole. http://ymlp.com/zmTYi1

Spiegel Online International, 18.12.13: Brussels Summit: EU to Refocus on Stalled Defense Initiatives http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/brussels-summit-eu-to-refocus-on-stalled-defense-and-security-initiatives-a-939766.html

EUObserver, 18.12.13: No 'giant leap' on EU defence at summit http://euobserver.com/foreign/122542

CEPS: CEPS Policy Brief, 17.12.13: The Governance Gap in European Security and Defence http://www.ceps.be/book/governance-gap-european-security-and-defence

ESO: Background information: European Council, Brussels, 19-20 December 2013. Presidency Conclusions - Common Security and Defence Policy http://www.europeansources.info/record/european-council-brussels-19-20-december-2013-presidency-conclusions-common-security-and-defence-policy/

ECFR: Commentary, December 2013: European defence: ten years on http://ecfr.eu/content/entry/commentary_european_defence_ten_years_on233

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