2015年-CEPS欧洲政策研究中心_The_EUs_re_4页_443kb

The EU’s Re-engagement as a Security Actor: Fresh Start or Still Sleepwalking?

Core Content

The document analyzes the EU's recent re-engagement in global security affairs, particularly through the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), and evaluates whether this represents a genuine revival or merely a continuation of its dormant state. It highlights the challenges the EU faces in re-establishing itself as a credible security actor on the world stage.

Main Issues

• EU's Security Persona is Dormant: Despite being a global crisis manager and regional security actor, the EU has not effectively projected "hard" power in recent years. Since 2008, its CSDP operations have seen limited military action, with only a few missions launched.
• Operational Challenges: The EU's military and civilian capabilities are not sufficiently developed or shared. There is a lack of strategic coherence and political commitment from member states to support the CSDP with a clear mandate and sufficient resources.
• Strategic Crisis: The CSDP is described as suffering from an "existential crisis" due to the absence of a comprehensive European Security Strategy and a lack of leadership in implementation.

Key Points

• CSDP Missions: The EU has launched several CSDP missions aimed at enhancing regional security and governance.
• Recent Revival Signs:
  • Pooling and Sharing of Military Capabilities: Inspired by the Ghent initiative and supported by the NATO smart defence agenda.
  • New Crisis Management Missions: The EU has initiated three new missions in 2012.
• Mission Details:
  1. EUCAP NESTOR: A civilian mission with military support, aimed at strengthening maritime security in the Horn of Africa and Western Indian Ocean.
  2. EUAVSEC South Sudan: A small-scale mission to improve airport security and support the development of civil aviation security programs.
  3. EUSEC Niger: A civilian mission focused on police reform and law enforcement capacity-building in the Sahel region.

Operational Extensions

• EUNAVFOR Atalanta: Extended until December 2014, with a broader mandate including internal waters and onshore infrastructure.
• EULEX in Kosovo: Extended by two years, with a budget of €111 million for the first year and a significant staff reduction.
• EUJUST Lex in Iraq: Extended until December 2013.
• EUPM in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Closed on 30 June 2012.

Strategic and Institutional Context

• The Lisbon Treaty has introduced new institutional structures, such as the European External Action Service (EEAS), which is tasked with integrating the EU's external actions, including security.
• The EU's civil-military coordination is a key element of its strategy, but it still needs to be tested and refined.
• The EU is still a young security institution, with only 10 years of operational experience compared to more established organizations like NATO, the UN, and the OSCE.

Conclusion

While the EU has shown signs of re-engagement through new missions and extended mandates, the document suggests that this is not enough to fully revive its role as a global security actor. The EU needs stronger political will, a coherent strategic framework, and more substantial operational commitments to effectively address the evolving global security landscape.