During the second half of 2006, the European Security and Defence Policy continued to make progress, in terms both of missions undertaken and civilian and military resources committed. The Euro-American crisis over the Iraq war, the setback to the Constitutional Treaty, the enlargement in 2004; none of these appear to have put a brake on the Union’s move towards stronger operational capability, even if it is not certain where it is heading. New operations are scheduled in Afghanistan and in Kosovo. Fresh objectives, in the short or long term, should contribute to a clearer definition of ESDP as an operational instrument. The European Defence Agency is performing its role in the development of capabilities and in forming a European armaments programme. The integration into ESDP of some political considerations, such as human rights and equality of the sexes, should also be noted.
ESDP in the Second Half of 2006
From 1 July to 31 December 2006, Finland held the rotating European Union Presidency for the second time since becoming a member. Once again, its capacity for taking up the principal foreign policy and mutual security dossiers was evident, in a context marked by the Lebanese crisis and difficulties with the Middle East peace process. It was logical that Finland should contribute to a reinforcement of the Nordic dimension in the EU’s external activities: this took the form of the adoption of a framework document and of a political statement on this theme. The Presidency supported the development of relations with Russia, notably during the EU-Russia summit in November. But Helsinki has not locked itself into a purely Nordic attitude, on the contrary, making efforts to restate the Union’s global ambitions. Two important meetings were held in Helsinki: the ASEM (Asia Europe Meeting) summit in September, and in November the EUROMED meeting, an extension of the Barcelona process.
With its tradition of neutrality, Finland is doubtless not the state best placed to promote the EU’s security and defence dimension. None the less, the ESDP has continued to make progress, not with any spectacular results but with a persistence which has made of it one of the EU’s most fruitful policies. This has occasioned some surprise in the current atmosphere of Euro-sclerosis prevailing since the setback over the Constitutional Treaty.
Operational Developments in the European Union
ESDP has given the CFSP (Common Foreign and Security Policy) the operational dimension that was lacking. Current operations have demonstrated their usefulness, and for the most part have been extended.(1) Two supplementary operations are being prepared.
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