After an impressive start, then a period when it began running out of steam, European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP), sometimes referred to as European defence, has finally reached its death throes. We are seeing the end of one cycle, and with the arrival of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) we are about to witness the start of another, which promises a bright future. Everything is in place to give it a strong send-off.

The path of European development has been a bumpy one. Since its launch, there have been both high and low points, and we are coming to the end of a somewhat gloomy period in which the French and Dutch ‘no’s in their referendums were indicative of the malaise. As he was leaving his position as a Member of the European Parliament in December 2007, Jean-Louis Bourlanges said that after the heady phase of enthusiasm in search of the ideal, of the creation of an original political project, vested interests had taken the place of ideals: the testing ground of common will was becoming a place for arbitration between national interests.

The European defence element of the project has not escaped this bad climate. (It should be noted here that ‘European defence’ is a misnomer, since it only concerns crisis management and excludes the use of military assets within EU borders.) One by one obstacles were placed in the path of its development—one illustration of the difficulties encountered being the launch of the operation in Chad. Adoption of the new Treaty will end the stagnation and get things moving. The basic ideas are still excellent and we are on the eve of a new, dynamic phase.