In 1998, JAN ZIELONKA, professor at the European University of Florence, declared that the Common European Foreign and Security Policy, established in 1991, failed. Furthermore, he found that the European Union should perceive itself as a "civic power" and not try to enter the field of common defence nor grasp the honour of leading the European security matters (ZIELONKA: 1998). The arguments he presented were very interesting and, over all, quite convincing. But, what happened in the following few months was the complete opposite of what he assumpted. Later that year, the most important sceptic of the European integration in security and defence matters, Great Britain, broke its ′splendid isolation′. The UK signed (together with its traditional "political opponent", France) the ′Saint Malo′ declaration about cooperation in creating a common European Defence. Within one year, the 15 states of the EU grounded the European Security and Defence Policy during their official summits, unofficial meetings, and bilateral agreements - something they had not been able to create in the forty-years long history of the European integration.
Regarding security matters, the European Union is very heterogeneous inside and it will be even more after the near eastern enlargement. The ESDP is organised between both NATO and WEU members, the NATO and non-WEU member Denmark and the ′neutral and notallied′ ones (see Diagram). That means, that the ESDP is partly inside NATO and the WEU, partly only within NATO and partly completely outside. As LOTHAR RÜHL noticed (RÜHL: 1999, pp. 8-10) - the whole construction was narrower than NATO (before the 1999 enlargement) where only Turkey, Norway, and Iceland were both outside the EU and the WEU. Apart from that amusing "tongue twister", this heterogeneous structure reflects remarkably in the ESDP policymaking.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction/ Overview
- Short History of European Security and Defence Integration
- First Steps: There's No Europe without the USA
- French Initiatives: Visions and Failures
- The 1990s: Political Integration in a New World
- Driving The Visions of Integration
- 'Motors': France and Germany
- 'Brakes': 'Uncle Sam' and Great Britain
- 'Co-Drivers': Europe's Neutral States
- Speeding up the Process
- Clapping the Brakes: England
- Kosovo Crisis: The Old Structures Fail
- Turning Over: The Franco-British “Declaration on European Defence”
- Progress and Solutions: Basics of an ESDP
- Building up ESDP Basics: The Summits of Cologne and Helsinki
- Security and Defence - Still State Policies?
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper delves into the historical development of European security and defence integration, exploring the factors that delayed the formation of a robust European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP). The analysis highlights the contributions of key actors, particularly France, Germany, and Great Britain, and examines the role of organizations like NATO and the Western European Union in shaping this integration process.
- The historical evolution of European security and defence cooperation
- The impact of key players, such as France, Germany, and Great Britain, on ESDP development
- The role of NATO and the Western European Union in shaping European security policy
- The challenges posed by the heterogeneity of the European Union in terms of security integration
- The transition from a reliance on the United States to a more autonomous European security posture.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction/ Overview: The paper begins by presenting the context of European security integration in 1998, highlighting the skepticism surrounding the Common European Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). It then introduces the significance of the Saint Malo Declaration and the subsequent rapid development of the ESDP.
- Short History of European Security and Defence Integration: This chapter provides a concise overview of attempts to establish a common security policy among European states, starting from the aftermath of World War II. It emphasizes the early reliance on the United States and the limitations of initial efforts to establish a European military structure.
- First Steps: There's No Europe without the USA: The chapter focuses on the early post-war attempts to coordinate defense policies, including the Dunkerque Treaty and the Brussels Treaty. It highlights the importance of American support and the transatlantic partnership in securing Western Europe during the Cold War.
- French Initiatives: Visions and Failures: The chapter explores French initiatives, particularly the proposed European Defence Community (EDC) and the subsequent rejection of the EDC treaty. It examines the motivations behind France's vision for a European army and the reasons for its failure.
- The 1990s: Political Integration in a New World: The chapter discusses the emergence of the European Political Community (EPC) and the changing dynamics of European integration in the 1990s, in the wake of the Cold War's end. It examines the role of the European Council and the growing momentum towards deeper political cooperation.
- Driving The Visions of Integration: This chapter analyzes the various driving forces behind European security integration, focusing on the roles of 'motors', 'brakes', and 'co-drivers'. It identifies France and Germany as driving forces, Great Britain and the United States as potential brakes, and the neutral states as potential co-drivers.
- Speeding up the Process: This section explores the factors that accelerated the process of European security integration, leading to the formation of ESDP. It analyzes the influence of key actors and the changing geopolitical landscape.
- Clapping the Brakes: England: The chapter focuses on the role of Great Britain in the development of ESDP, highlighting its initial skepticism and its eventual agreement to cooperate in creating a common European defense. It examines the UK's motivations and its strategic considerations.
- Kosovo Crisis: The Old Structures Fail: This chapter analyzes the impact of the Kosovo crisis on European security integration. It examines the inadequacies of existing structures in responding to the crisis and the impetus for further development of ESDP.
- Turning Over: The Franco-British “Declaration on European Defence”: The chapter explores the significance of the Franco-British Saint Malo Declaration, marking a turning point in European security integration. It discusses the commitment to creating a common European defense and the subsequent progress towards developing ESDP.
- Progress and Solutions: Basics of an ESDP: This section delves into the key elements and principles of ESDP, outlining the initial framework for a common European security and defense policy.
- Building up ESDP Basics: The Summits of Cologne and Helsinki: The chapter highlights the key decisions made at the Cologne and Helsinki summits, solidifying the foundations of ESDP and establishing its operational framework.
- Security and Defence - Still State Policies?: The chapter examines the question of whether security and defense policies continue to be primarily state-driven, or whether there is a shift towards more integrated and supranational decision-making within the EU.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This preview focuses on the development of European security and defense policy (ESDP), examining the historical process leading to its formation and the contributions of various actors. It analyzes the role of organizations such as NATO and the Western European Union (WEU) in shaping the European security landscape. Key themes include the challenges of heterogeneity within the EU, the transition from US dominance to a more autonomous European security posture, and the impact of key players like France, Germany, and Great Britain on the integration process.
- Citar trabajo
- Weronika Tkocz (Autor), 2003, Raise of the Midgets. Towards a European Security and Defence Policy., Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/8583
