Common Security-Defense Policy of the European Union during 1999-2009

The European Union developed the Common Security- Defense Policy (CSDP) in 1999 to enhance its position in the field of international system and to play an effective role in the field of international peace and security and subsequently to reinforce the various aspects of European convergence. This institution is known as the military/civilian arm of the common foreign and security policy (CFSP) of the European Union, and nowadays it is one of the most dynamic areas related to European Union’s plans and projects. Although it has passed only a decade since the birth of the Common Security and Defense Policy, this institution has run 24 civil and military missions since 2003 to promote global peace and security in three continents of Europe, Africa and Asia. The key to the success of the Common Security and Defense Policy missions is in developing the culture of planning and conducting joint military and civilian operations. However, EU is encountering limitations preventing it from the development of a comprehensive Common Security and Defense Policy; still, it is expected to overcome some limitations of European security and defense area, having the Lisbon treaty come into force by European countries in December 2009. Therefore, the present paper seeks to explain the Common Security- Defense Policy of EU during 1999-2009.