The EU has strengthened its capacity to deal with tensions and insecurity, in order to prevent the outbreak or re-occurrence of violence. It employs development co-operation and external assistance, trade policy instruments, social and environmental policies, diplomatic instruments and political dialogue, co-operation with international partners and NGOs.

It addresses the root-causes of violent conflict, like poverty, degradation, exploitation and unequal distribution and access to land and natural resources, weak governance, human rights abuses and gender inequality. The EU emphasises the strengthening of the rule of law, and democratic institutions, the development of civil society and the reform of the security sector.

In post-conflict situations, peace-building initiatives are essential for ensuring lasting peace. The Commission is every day more engaged in rehabilitation activities, demobilisation, disarmament and reintegration programmes.

Conflict Prevention Partnership (CPP) carries out a number of activities including policy seminars, roundtables and the publication of papers and briefings in order to disseminate its research findings in the field of conflict prevention and engage EU policymakers and civil society in discussion of appropriate policy and operational response.

Cross-cutting issues are tackled on an international and multidimensional level.