Abstract

Only a year ago the state of the European Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) looked to be in shambles, and its effort to become a global security player via the evolving European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) seemed without future. The war against Iraq had deeply divided EU and NATO, the United Nations were totally marginalised. Somewhat more than twelve months later the situation has been remarkably changed. The “big three” of the EU – France, Germany, Great Britain – are working together more closely than ever in promoting ESDP, NATO is more alive than before, and the UN has become again an indispensable factor in the international security arena. The EU’s security policy has without doubt suffered through the harsh European and transatlantic quarrel over Iraq. However, one should not judge a complex and long-term process like CFSP/ESDP from a flash. Looking at the achievements since Saint-Malo the EU’s security policy is taking shape. Considering the challenges ahead there is no other acceptable alternative left.