WEU and the European security and defence dimension : an overview

Abstract

This article retraces, from a historical and political perspective, the attempts made during these last decades to create a solid and effective collective framework for European security and defence; starting from the Brussels Treaty down to the Amsterdam Treaty. In particular it focuses on the WEU (Western European Union) as a first attempt to achieve some sort of co-operation in defence matters between European states, and it gives an insight into the institutional format and stated objectives of this organisation. The restructuring of the WEU following the development of European Political Co-operation (EPC) and the more recent Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) within the framework of the European Union are also considered. Under the Maastricht Treaty, in fact, the WEU is recognised as integral to the development of the Union. However, there still seems to be no consensus amongst member states concerning the WEU's complete integration into the Union as the Union's defence arm. Therefore the WEU still retains its institutional autonomy. Nevertheless, recent statements regarding the need for the EU to play a full role Olli the international level and the need to establish a cohesive defence policy supported by credible military forces, seem to indicate that the way ahead could be to progressively merge the military structure of the WEU into the framework of the European Union.